The United States wasn't ready for the pandemic "and we have a lot of work to do to get better prepared for the next one," says Dr. Anne Schuchat, who is retiring after 33 years at the agency.
An internal CDC report obtained by NPR shows the CDC's original coronavirus test kits didn't just have a fundamental design flaw, but instructions sent to labs to run the test were problematic, too.
The CDC's new guidance that it's safe for fully vaccinated people to go without masks, even indoors, has led to a confusing situation for businesses, which now have to decide what to do on their own.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shifted its stance this week on the need to wear masks if you're vaccinated. What's that mean for kids? For travel? For work? Experts weigh in.
Biden says, "Today is a great day for America and our long battle with coronavirus. ... It's been made possible by the extraordinary success we've had in vaccinating so many Americans so quickly."
Dr. Nancy Messonnier had served as the agency's top respiratory disease official since 2016. Then-President Donald Trump reportedly threatened to fire her after her comments in February 2020.
But the CDC is urging all people — vaccinated or not — to continue avoiding medium or large gatherings since it's still learning how well the vaccines work to curb the spread of the virus.
The CDC's vaccine advisory committee will assess whether use of the vaccine should resume — and whether the shot should come with a warning about the risk of a rare blood clotting disorder.
Epidemiologist Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones says race is merely "the social interpretation of how we look." This social reality is important because different racial groups have different health outcomes.
"The pandemic illuminated inequities that have existed for generations and revealed for all of America a known, but often unaddressed, epidemic impacting public health: racism," Walensky said.
A year into the pandemic, the agency's staffers reflect on what it's been like to fight the biggest public health battle in their history and how they're working to rebuild public trust in science.
"Just please hold on a little while longer," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, warning of a possible fourth surge. U.S. coronavirus cases are up 10% over the previous week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is extending an order preventing evictions. It was set to expire this week, which could have displaced staggering numbers of people from their homes.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is moving to extend an order aimed at preventing evictions during the pandemic. Housing groups say the order could prevent up to 1 million evictions.
The latest COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress has upward of $27 billion for rental assistance to prevent evictions. With so many renters not paying, many landlords are struggling.
The CDC says hospitals saw a lot more emergency cases involving drug overdoses, as well as mental health crises and suicide attempts. Many emergency departments weren't ready.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky says scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were "muzzled" and "diminished" by the Trump team, especially during the pandemic. She aims to fix that.
The group that suffered the largest drop in life expectancy was Black males — a decline of 3 years. Hispanic males also saw a large decrease, with a decline of 2.4 years.
Some landlords are evicting tenants despite an order from the CDC aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 by preventing evictions. That has led to calls to strengthen protections.
New research found that wearing a cloth mask over a medical mask significantly boosts protection against droplets that can transmit the virus. Tying knots on the ear loops of medical masks also helps.
President Biden wants schools to reopen quickly. But there are questions about whether teachers should first be vaccinated. The CDC will provide more guidance next week.
The new travel order will require passengers to wear face coverings on nearly all forms of public transportation, including airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-shares.
