The latest The omicron variant is driving caseloads to record levels in parts of the United States and around the world. Several states and the District of Columbia have already far exceeded their previous peaks from last winter, according to tracking by The Washington Post. High vaccination rates in some places will help keep many people out of the hospital, but massive case numbers are already straining some health-care systems. Pediatric hospitalizations rose in some states last week. Doctors at children's hospitals in hard-hit areas told The Post that most infections were mild, but health officials are keeping a close eye on illnesses in children under 5, who aren't yet eligible for the vaccines. Omicron disrupted holiday plans for untold numbers of travelers over the break, with airlines canceling thousands of flights in the days leading up to Christmas. About another 1,000 flights were canceled on Monday. Amid the tumult, the country's top infectious-disease expert Anthony S. Fauci said a vaccination requirement for domestic air travel is "reasonable to consider." Through it all, America's testing woes continue. Pharmacy shelves were wiped out of at-home tests over the holiday week. Lines for laboratory tests stretched for blocks in some parts of the country. But Fauci sought to reassure the nation on Sunday, saying more tests will become available in January. As the new variant races across the country, President Biden on Monday said the next step in combating the pandemic needs to start with the states. "Look, there is no federal solution," he said after joining a call with the National Governors Association on Monday. "This gets solved at the state level." He noted that the administration had mobilized military medical workers and federal emergency crews to help in states with high infection rates. "If you need something, say something," Biden said. "And we're going to have your back in any way we can." Not all states are cooperating with his strategy. Even faced with rising cases, Republican legislatures in some states are stripping public health officials of their power to implement measures designed to control infections. At least 19 states have passed laws this year restricting state or local authorities from safeguarding public health amid the pandemic. In many cases elected officials are instead placed in charge of decisions about masking, business capacity limits and even messaging surrounding life-saving vaccines. Similar legislation is being considered across the country. With the Biden administration's vaccine mandate held up in court, at least five Republican-led states have extended unemployment benefits to people who've lost jobs over their refusal to get the shots. While most employees who are let go for defying a company policy aren't eligible for such assistance, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas and Tennessee have created exceptions for those who disregard company vaccine mandates. Wyoming, Wisconsin and Missouri have mulled similar policies. Other important news Health-care workers in Israel on Monday began administering fourth doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to health-care workers. It's the start of the clinical trial for the country's planned national campaign to administer a second booster shot to high-risk citizens. Denmark, a highly boosted country, is seeing some early signs that it might avoid a worst-case omicron surge. So far, infections are stabilizing and hospitalizations are lower than expected. The USS Milwaukee is hobbled by a coronavirus outbreak. Commanders are trying to get boosters to the crew. Federal drug regulators authorized Merck's pill to treat covid-19. For now, it's a backup treatment. Three members of the Korean boy band BTS have tested positive for the coronavirus after a U.S. trip. Biden will lift travel restrictions on eight African countries on Dec. 31. | 
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