As people begin to travel and gather for the holidays, experts are warning of a fifth wave of COVID-19 cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the omicron variant now accounts for most of the new coronavirus cases in Georgia.

The highly transmissible variant has again upended life in the U.S., as officials warn of a coming spike in cases and people race to get booster shots and coronavirus tests during the winter holidays.

A new study from the University of Hong Kong offers preliminary information that could explain why this new coronavirus variant may be more transmissible.

Many colleges are telling students to prepare for another term of masking, testing and, if cases get bad, limits around social life.

Scientists are watching how Portugal and other highly vaccinated countries are faring against the coronavirus' new omicron variant.

The campus reported nearly 500 new cases of COVID-19 among the student body. The new omicron variant was detected "in a significant number" of positive tests, the university said.

Data from 78,000 South Africans with COVID show the Pfizer vaccine is far less effective in preventing infection by the omicron variant. But there is still significant protection from severe illness.

The variant has spread through South Africa with remarkable speed — and been detected in at least 60 other countries. Specialists are trying to figure out the next stage for this unwelcome variant.

Jacqueline Muna Musiitwa was planning for her mom to fly from Zambia to the U.S. for Christmas. Ever-changing travel bans are making it seem like a holiday dream that won't come true.

The variant is bringing out the worst in some Western governments and global media outlets, says Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, a global health advocate in Nigeria.

The rapid emergence of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has many questioning whether they should rethink their holiday travel plans.

At least 17 people on board the Norwegian Breakaway tested positive for COVID-19, including one probable case of the omicron variant. The cruise line said that all confirmed cases are asymptomatic.

The emergence of this new variant of concern has brought a new vocabulary into daily news reports. We asked experts to help define the terms you're being bombarded with.

Friday on Political Rewind: We looked at the latest news about the coronavirus. We tackled your questions about the new omicron variant, and where it is likely is it to become the dominant strain of COVID in Georgia. How will schools, public spaces and travel change in the coming months?

Officials in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota and New York reported their first cases of the variant on Thursday, one day after the first U.S. case was identified in California.