Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions

A COVID-19 home test in the U.S. comes with a swab to swirl in the nostrils. But some users say they're swabbing the throat too — even though that's not what the instructions say. "They may stab themselves," cautions Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting head of the Food and Drug Administration.

National

Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat?

Sheila Mulrooney Eldred

The FDA-authorized tests call for a nasal swab. Some doctors are tweeting that they're doing a throat swab too — though they don't recommend this step to the public. Here's a look at the swab debate.

A coronavirus patient lies on a bed surrounded by medical staff inside the intensive care unit at a Scripps hospital in this undated photo.

Local

California weighs order canceling elective surgeries as COVID surges

Barbara Feder Ostrov / CalMatters

As a third of hospitals report critical staffing shortages, California’s health department is considering issuing an order postponing many elective surgeries. Many procedures, including a lung transplant, already have been canceled.

Gov. Gavin Newsom in Paramount, a city in southern Los Angeles County, to push for $2.7 billion in COVID-19 spending, Jan. 12, 2022.

Local

After San Diego Stop, Newsom visits COVID-19 testing site in LA

City News Service

Gov. Gavin Newsom visited a testing site in south Los Angeles County to discuss his request for $2.7 billion in new COVID- 19 spending as part of his next state budget proposal.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks after visiting a homeless encampment in downtown San Diego, Jan. 12, 2022.

Local

Gov. Newsom visits San Diego to talk homelessness solutions, COVID-19

City News Service

Gov. Gavin Newsom visited a homeless encampment in downtown San Diego Wednesday morning to highlight his California Blueprint.

People wait in line to get tested for COVID-19 at CSU San Marcos. Jan. 2, 2022.

Local

San Diego County reports 10,198 new COVID-19 cases, 20 deaths

City News Service

San Diego County reported 10,198 new COVID-19 infections and 20 deaths Tuesday.

A student is administered a coronavirus test at an elementary school in Louisville, Ky.

National

The White House will distribute 10 million more COVID tests per month to schools

Alana Wise

President Biden and others in his administration insist schools should stay open, even with the omicron wave making it harder than ever to manage.

A medical worker takes swab samples on residents in central China's Henan province. The northern city of Tianjin ordered a second round of testing on all 14 million residents Wednesday.

International

China's Tianjin orders more testing on 14 million after omicron reaches city

The Associated Press

The city of Tianjin ordered a second round of COVID-19 testing on Wednesday in the city about an hour from Beijing, which is set to host the Winter Olympics from February 4th.

A nurse helps David Carroll give his 100th gallon of blood donation at the San Diego Blood Bank in Chula Vista.

Health

Chula Vista man donates his 100th gallon of blood as supplies are critical

Kitty Alvarado

A Chula Vista man reached a lifesaving milestone Tuesday. David Carroll donated his 100th gallon of blood, his donation comes at a critical time.

A woman walks by a closed store in a mall in Montreal on Jan. 2.

International

In Quebec, people who refuse to be vaccinated for COVID will face a financial penalty

The Associated Press

The Canadian province's premier said not getting vaccinated leads to consequences for the health care system and not all Quebecers should pay for that.

People wait in line for a COVID-19 test in Los Angeles, Jan. 4, 2022.

National

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in US and Britain

Maria Cheng and Carla K. Johnson / Associated Press

The reason: The variant has proved so wildly contagious that it may already be running out of people to infect, just a month and a half after it was first detected.