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President Biden addressed the nation on Dec. 21, urging Americans to take precautions to fend off the fast-spreading omicron variant. (Video: The Washington Post, Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

Biden, states and other nations brace for rush of omicron infections

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As the omicron variant charged through the United States on Tuesday, California’s governor ordered health-care workers in his state to get booster shots, others extended emergency declarations and President Biden announced new plans to send federal aid.  
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The omicron variant accounted for 73 percent of new coronavirus cases in the United States between Dec. 12 and 18, according to modeled projections from the CDC, showcasing the highly contagious nature of the variant, which has been detected in 106 countries.
People traveling within the European Union must receive their booster coronavirus shots to be considered fully vaccinated if they received their first doses more than nine months ago, according to rules adopted Tuesday by the European Commission.
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The omicron variant accounted for 73 percent of new coronavirus cases in the United States between Dec. 12 and 18, according to modeled projections from the CDC, showcasing the highly contagious nature of the variant, which has been detected in 106 countries.
People traveling within the European Union must receive their booster coronavirus shots to be considered fully vaccinated if they received their first doses more than nine months ago, according to rules adopted Tuesday by the European Commission.
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Coronavirus: What you need to know

Covid isolation guidelines: Americans who test positive for the coronavirus no longer need to routinely stay home from work and school for five days under new guidance planned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The change has raised concerns among medically vulnerable people.

New coronavirus variant: The United States is in the throes of another covid-19 uptick and coronavirus samples detected in wastewater suggests infections could be as rampant as they were last winter. JN.1, the new dominant variant, appears to be especially adept at infecting those who have been vaccinated or previously infected. Here’s how this covid surge compares with earlier spikes.

Latest coronavirus booster: The CDC recommends that anyone 6 months or older gets an updated coronavirus shot, but the vaccine rollout has seen some hiccups, especially for children. Here’s what you need to know about the latest coronavirus vaccines, including when you should get it.