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.

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Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Dec 26, 2021, 4:21 PM EST

New record case high on Christmas Eve in New York

New York state recorded 49,708 new COVID-19 cases on Christmas Eve, according to data released by the state, topping the record set one day earlier with 44,431 cases.

People queue for a COVID-19 test in Times Square as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in New York, Dec. 26, 2021.
Andrew Kelly/Reuters

This comes as New Yorkers sought testing in record numbers ahead of the holidays.

On Christmas Day, New York recorded 36,454 new cases, according to state data.

Long Island is the region with the highest percent positivity, standing at 14.79% (according to the seven-day average).

Dec 26, 2021, 12:14 PM EST

UVA pulls out of Wasabi Fenway Bowl

The University of Virginia is pulling out of the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Boston's Fenway Park due to "the number of COVID cases impacting its roster," the Wasabi Fenway Bowl said.

The game was set to take place on Wednesday between UVA and Southern Methodist University. Tickets will be refunded.

Dec 26, 2021, 8:18 AM EST

Israeli prime minister goes into quarantine after daughter tests positive

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is isolating at home after his daughter tested positive for COVID-19, his office said.

Bennett tested negative via an antigen test Sunday morning as he headed into his cabinet meeting, his office said. When he learned about his daughter, Bennett left the meeting.

Bennett will take a PCR test and stay isolated at home, away from his daughter, until he gets his results, his office said.

Bennett, 49, and his wife have four children.

Dec 26, 2021, 2:21 AM EST

'Everybody' in Australia will get omicron, health minister says

New South Wales recorded a record 6,394 new coronavirus cases in Christmas Day, according to health officials. 

“We would expect that pretty well everybody in New South Wales at some point will get omicron,” Brad Hazzard, state health minister, said during a press conference on Sunday. 

Australia's most populous state reported 32,728 new cases in the last week, marking a 172% increase from the 12,013 reported the week prior, according to public health data.

"We're all going to get omicron," Hazzard said. "If we're all going to get omicron, the best way to face it is when we all have full vaccination, including our booster." 

Hazzard said he expects everyone in Australia to get omicron, but said health officials have seen "far milder" symptoms with omicron than with other COVID-19 variants. 

"Please just think carefully before you, one, call an ambulance, or, two, ask to go to a hospital, or, three, go to hospital, because it may not be necessary," Hazzard said.