New versions of omicron are circulating in the United States and South Africa. Two new studies shed light on the potential for future surges — and the risk factor if you've already had omicron.

If Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor could have a hand in creating another season of the reality show, he'd ditch the 'Real Housewives' drama and get the cast to talk about COVID vaccines.

As the world enters the pandemic's 3rd year, some ask whether the 70% vaccination goal set by WHO and the Biden administration could in fact be detrimental. Also: See our map of global progress.

New findings from Malawi suggest the country has entered something akin to the endemic stage of the pandemic — along with many other African nations.

The variant caused fewer deaths and less severe infections than past versions of the virus in South Africa, but that could be different in other countries.

The Nobel Peace laureate and archbishop emeritus campaigned against a system he called evil and, after apartheid, helped the nation heal as head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The archbishop is being remembered around the world for his commitment to equality and justice and his "impish" sense of humor.

Desmond Tutu will be remembered for helping end apartheid. But also for his memorable laugh, an infectious, cackling howl employed in the service of easing tensions in a very tense nation.

Researchers in South Africa have found that people infected with omicron, on average, are less likely to end up in the hospital. But the variant may act differently here in the U.S.

He and his team were stunned by the number of mutations. They felt they'd made a contribution by alerting the world to a dangerous variant. Then came the travel bans for residents of southern Africa.

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.

In small studies in South Africa and in Germany, the results indicate a marked decrease in the ability of vaccines to neutralize this variant. But there are other findings that are encouraging.

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.

How did this new strain of the coronavirus evolve? Researchers are investigating various possibilities. One leading theory involves ... just one person.