COVID-19 updates: Elizabeth Warren tests positive
The senator says she's experiencing "mild symptoms."
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.3 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 806,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
About 61.4% 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:
UK reports 1st death from omicron variant
At least one person has died in the United Kingdom after being infected with the omicron variant, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday.
It's the first publicly confirmed death globally from the new variant of the novel coronavirus, which was initially identified in southern Africa last month and has since spread rapidly around the world. Deaths from omicron may have already occurred in other countries but no others have been publicly confirmed yet.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to a vaccination clinic in London, Johnson said the death was a patient who had been diagnosed at a hospital but gave no further details.
"Sadly, at least one patient has now been confirmed to have died with omicron," the prime minister said. "So I think the idea that this is somehow a milder version of the virus, I think that's something we need to set on one side and just recognize the sheer pace at which it accelerates through the population. So the best thing we can do is all get our boosters."
NFL to require vaccinated Tier 1 and 2 employees receive boosters by Dec. 27
The National Football League will require that all its vaccinated Tier 1 and 2 employees receive COVID-19 booster shots by Dec. 27, according to a memo sent to all 32 teams within the professional American football league on Monday.
This group of employees includes coaches and other employees who work closely with NFL players and help in essential league operations.
"On November 29, the CDC issued a study showing that the effectiveness of the approved COVID-19 vaccines may decrease over time and has recommended that all eligible vaccinated individuals over the age of 18 should receive a booster shot," the memo states. "Given the increased prevalence of the virus in our communities, our experts have recommended that we implement the CDC’s recommendation."
The memo came as 36 players were added to the NFLS's COVID-19 reserve list. Players are currently not required to receive boosters; but in Monday’s memo, the NFL said teams should consider making boosters available for players and their families.
"Any individual who is not currently subject to the requirement for boosters will be required to obtain the booster within 14 days of becoming eligible," the memo states.
-ABC News’ Katie Conway
US Air Force discharges 27 over vaccine refusal
The U.S. Air Force gave administrative discharges to 27 personnel who refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and comply with the federal government's mandate.
Over 7,000 Air Force members are unvaccinated against COVID-19, which includes about 4,500 who are waiting to see if they are eligible for religious exemption. More than 1,500 religious exemption requests have been denied and those individuals remain unvaccinated.
The Air Force has not granted a single religious exemption, according to officials.
Over 1,000 members have outright refused to get their shots.
More discharges over vaccine refusal are likely, according to an official.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
California reinstates mask mandate for 1 month
California is reinstating an indoor mask mandate from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15.
Half of the state is already under a mask mandate per local rules, according to California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly.
California is also tightening restrictions on unvaccinated people at large events. At events with more than 1,000 people, anyone who isn’t vaccinated must show proof of a negative antigen test within 24 hours or a negative PCR test within 48 hours.
State officials also recommend that travelers get tested three to five days before arriving in California.
-ABC News' Matt Fuhrman
CDC recommends opting for Pfizer or Moderna over J&J when there's a choice
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed off on its advisory committee's recommendation that people who have a choice should get an mRNA vaccine, either Pfizer or Moderna, over the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The updated recommendation comes after a review of new CDC data on rare blood clots linked to the J&J vaccine.
"Today's updated recommendation emphasizes CDC's commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the American public," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. "I continue to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated and boosted."