The pandemic state of emergency was lifted but there are still plenty of viruses to worry about. Here are some highlights of our viral coverage this year, including NPR's "Hidden Viruses" series.

The federal government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to boost American production of medical gloves, but some companies say it's not enough when imported gloves have gotten cheaper.

Three school years after classrooms shut their doors in March 2020 following the initial outbreak of COVID-19, Georgia students remain behind in phonics compared to kids in other states. But the data also shows some good news.

School absenteeism was already considered too high before COVID. But there was a surprisingly sharp rise in the number of chronically absent students after things were thought to be getting back to normal.

Two scientists, one Nigerian and one American, created a cutting-edge surveillance network to catch the next emerging disease before it becomes a pandemic.

In 2020, Laura Gao hoped to visit her birthplace, Wuhan, to see her grandparents. The coronavirus caused her to cancel. They beat the virus and say they're now "walking backward" toward the sun.

The COVID emergency brought widespread cancellations for short-term fly-ins to run clinics. Are the missions — praised for the help they provide and criticized for a colonialist mindset — coming back?

Researchers have found a link between the FOXP4 gene and the occurrence of what's known as long COVID. The finding could lead to a better understanding of a condition that affects millions.

Maybe it's not a full-blown summer surge but COVID numbers are ticking up. For those with concerns due to personal risk factors or the start of the school year, the booster question is top of mind.

The Bureau of Global Health, Security and Diplomacy, housed in the State Department, will plan for the next pandemic. We interviewed its director, virologist and global health leader John Nkengasong.

After vaccines became widely available in 2021, "the excess death rate among Republican voters was 43% higher than the excess death rate among Democratic voters," Yale researchers say.

The official emergency is over but COVID is still here. And that means ... lots of questions. We asked our readers what's on their mind and then called on experts for advice.

From more air circulation to well stacked pantries, JPMorgan Chase and BNP Paribas are seeking to make the office a draw at a time when work-from-home is becoming commonplace.

Animals being tracked by scientists tended to travel longer distances in the early months of the pandemic, when people stayed home. The wildlife also ventured closer to roads.

It takes around four hours by car to go from Savannah to Atlanta — not an easy trip to make in time for a 9 a.m. weekday meeting of the state Board of Natural Resources.