COVID-19 live updates: City sees fourfold increase in pediatric hospitalizations

The shift reflects the spread of the omicron variant.

ByEmily Shapiro, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso, and Mary Kekatos
Last Updated: December 27, 2021, 2:21 AM EST

As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.3 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 816,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

About 61.7% of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Dec 25, 2021, 9:52 AM EST

CDC issues contingency plan for to prevent shortage of health care workers in event of major omicron surge

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an alert to health care professionals across the country to prepare for a possible major surge in infections of COVID-19 due to the high transmissibility of the omicron variant. 

Among the CDC's contingency options is shortening the amount of time health care workers must self-isolate following a COVID-19 infection.

Under “conventional” conditions, health care facilities can allow asymptomatic personnel who were infected with COVID-19 to return to work after seven days and a negative test, regardless of vaccination status, according to the new CDC guidance. For health care personnel who were symptomatic, fever should have resolved without medications.

A worker, left, rests for a second between patients, as another person, right, is tested for COVID-19 at a walk-up testing site at Farragut Square, Dec. 23, 2021, just blocks from the White House in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Under “crisis” conditions, health care workers can return to work after five days, if asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, as a last resort, without testing, the alert states. These health care personnel should wear a respirator or well-fitting face mask, even when they are in non-patient care areas, and facilities should consider assigning them duties that do not include care of immunocompromised patients.

The plan was put into place to mitigate potential staff shortages, according to the CDC. 

-ABC News’ Sony Salzman

Dec 24, 2021, 7:58 PM EST

NYC seeing fourfold increase in pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations, state says

New York City has seen a fourfold increase in pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations since early December, according to the New York State Health Department.

The uptick reflects a shift amid the rapid spread of the omicron variant, with the burden of the virus now being borne by young, unvaccinated children.

The increase was observed in children 18 and under beginning the week of Dec. 5 through the current week. During that time, none of the 5- to 11-year-olds admitted to city hospitals with COVID-19 were fully vaccinated, the department said. About one-third of 12- to 17-year-olds admitted due to COVID-19 were fully vaccinated.

"The risks of COVID-19 for children are real,” acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said in a statement. "We are alerting New Yorkers to this recent striking increase in pediatric COVID-19 admissions so that pediatricians, parents and guardians can take urgent action to protect our youngest New Yorkers."

About 27% of 5- to 11-year-olds and nearly 72% of 12- to 17-year-olds in New York state have received at least one vaccine dose, state data shows.

-ABC News' Sony Salzman and Aaron Katersky

Dec 24, 2021, 5:10 PM EST

Harris tests negative after staff exposure

Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff tested negative via antigen tests Friday morning after Harris' close contact with a staffer who tested positive Wednesday, according to a White House official.

Harris also tested negative on a PCR test, White House officials said Friday afternoon.

The staffer was with Harris throughout the day on Tuesday, Harris' spokeswoman, Symone Sanders, said in a Wednesday statement.

The staffer tested negative on Monday, Tuesday and "every day last week," and then tested positive on Wednesday morning, according to Sanders.

Harris tested negative on Wednesday and will be tested again on Monday, Sanders said.

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Dec 24, 2021, 2:47 PM EST

Los Angeles' positivity rate rising quickly

Los Angeles started the week with a 2% positivity rate and is ending the week nearing a 10% positivity rate.

People with umbrellas wait in line for a free COVID-19 test outside Lincoln Park Recreation Center in Los Angeles, Dec. 23, 2021.
Ringo H.w. Chiu/AP

The city reported 9,988 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. On Monday, there were just 3,258 cases.