The Latest Breaking News from Omicron

Prison outbreak adds urgency to warnings of the virus spreading through the incarcerated population.

Marriott International Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) reported fourth-quarter FY21 sales growth of 105% year-on-year, to $4.45 billion, beating the analyst consensus of $3.98 billion. Comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR declined 19.0% worldwide, 15.3% in the U.S. & Canada, and 28.2% in international markets, compared to Q4 FY19. Total expenses rose 65.7% Y/Y to $3.8 billion.…

Just eight COVID-19 deaths were reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health on Monday, the state’s lowest daily death toll since late November. Hospitals saw their lowest occupancy numbers since before Thanksgiving.

City officials last week said they’d follow the state’s lead in lifting a mask mandate by Feb. 28 — unless COVID-19 numbers worsened. Now, though citing "tremendous progress" against the Omicron surge, the mayor doesn’t want to set what she called an "artificial date."

Domestic travel sentiment remains weak amid a five-digit surge in daily cases and higher commodity prices, despite incentives like the We Travel Together hotel subsidy scheme and local events aimed at generating more trips.

The rule had been in place since December in response to the surge in Omicron cases

The group had been expecting to report 'further progress' after a 'solid start to the year'

For the Coalition, the results are a troubling reflection of how voters have responded to Dominic Perrottet’s handling of Omicron

This week's January job figures could see the unemployment rate nudge down to 4.1 per cent, although there is uncertainty surrounding the report due to Omicron.