While the omicron variant has driven U.S. Covid-19 case counts to record highs, hospitalizations and deaths have so far remained "comparatively low." However, public health experts caution that hospitalizations tend to lag diagnoses of new Covid-19 cases—and hospitals are still bracing for a potential future surge.

CDC shortens its recommended isolation period for some people who test positive for Covid-19, FDA warns rapid tests "do detect the omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity," and more in this week's roundup of Covid-19 news.

Once again in 2021, the Daily Briefing's 10 most-read stories overwhelmingly related to the Covid-19 pandemic. But there were three interesting exceptions.