Global vaccine program COVAX low on funds, seeks $5.2B GENEVA (AP) — The global initiative to share coronavirus vaccines equally between rich and poor countries asked Wednesday for $5.2 billion in funds to be able to keep buying doses in coming months. AP NEWS

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The UN-backed program known as COVAX has delivered just over 1 billion doses since shipments started nearly a year ago.

Free COVID-19 tests: What you need to know to order tests or get reimbursed The Biden administration launched a new test-ordering website, COVIDTests.gov. Insurers also must reimburse consumers for home tests YahooNews

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WHO counts 18 million virus cases last week as omicron slows GENEVA (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases globally rose by 20% last week to more than 18 million, marking a slowdown in the surge caused by the omicron variant's spread, according to the World Health Organization. AP NEWS

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US faces wave of omicron deaths in coming weeks, models say | AP News The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, but COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing and modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the wave subsides in mid-March. AP NEWS

The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, but COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing and modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the wave subsides in mid-March.

U.S. CDC warns against travel to 22 destinations over COVID-19 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday advised against travel to 22 nations and territories because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases, including for Israel, Australia, Egypt, Albania, Argentina and Uruguay. David Shepardson Reuters

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Confusion, lawsuit follow Virginia governor's order on masks | AP News RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia's new Republican governor was facing pushback from Democratic lawmakers, school districts and a group of parents who sued him Tuesday over an executive order that aims to create an opt-out for classroom mask mandates. AP NEWS

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Supreme Court rejects bid to block mask mandate on airplanes The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a request to block a federal mask mandate for air travel. John Kruzel TheHill

The emergency application was filed by a father on behalf of himself and his 4-year-old autistic son, both of whom claim to be medically incapable of wearing masks for extended periods.

U.S. would seek global approach to updating Covid-19 vaccines, official says If the Food and Drug Administration decides to update Covid-19 vaccines to take better aim at Omicron or other variants, it is unlikely to go it alone. Helen Branswell STAT

IF the Food and Drug Administration decides to update Covid-19 vaccines to take better aim at Omicron or other variants, it is unlikely to go it alone.