Feds Scramble to Curb Omicron's Spread

The Food and Drug Administration this week authorized use of a new antiviral pill that can be taken at home to help prevent people sick with COVID-19 from becoming severely ill. Pfizer's Paxlovid reduced the risk of severe disease by nearly 90% in clinical trials and appeared to be safe. The U.S. government has pre-purchased doses to provide at no-cost, but it's not clear how quickly the drug will be widely available.  Also this week, President Biden announced the purchase of a half-billion at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and the mobilization of 1,000 military medical personnel to hospitals. This is part of the federal government's enhanced response aimed at the new omicron variant, which officials say accounted for 73% of new COVID-19 cases last week.