Omicron becomes dominant Covid variant in US | First Thing

Variant accounted for 73% of new infections last week, nearly a sixfold increase within a week. Plus, the Bidens get new pets

Good morning.

Omicron is the dominant version of Covid in the US, federal health officials have announced, racing ahead of Delta and other variants and accounting for 73% of new infections last week.

Should we be sticking to our holiday plans? Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, has warned that festivities could lead to increased cases, overwhelmed health systems and more deaths, adding: An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled."

What is Joe Biden doing about Omicron? Half a billion at-home coronavirus tests will be sent free to the American public in an effort to fight the surging variant, the president will announce today.

The letter sent on Monday night is the first time the panel has publicly released a request to a fellow member of Congress as it investigates Donald Trump's communications with his Republican allies. But the panel notably did not subpoena Perry.

The panel has interviewed about 300 people as it seeks to create a comprehensive record of the attack and the events leading up to it.