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CDC Director Walensky fails to disclose how many deaths were ‘from’ COVID-19: ‘Data will be forthcoming’
Critics demanded answers from CDC director Rochelle Walensky Sunday after she hedged on how many of the COVID-19-related deaths in the U.S. were directly due to the virus and how many were individuals who died with COVID-19 yet had underlying conditions.

“Do you know how many of the 836,000 deaths in the U.S. linked to COVID are from COVID or how many are with COVID, but they had other comorbidities? Do you have that breakdown?” Bret Baier asked Walensky on “Fox News Sunday.” 

“Yes of course with omicron we’re following that very carefully,” Walensky responded. “Our death registry, of course, takes a few weeks…to collect. And, of course, omicron has just been with us for a few weeks. But those data will be forthcoming.”

Her answer only frustrated critics of the Biden White House who have been asking about that distinction about COVID-related deaths for quite some time.

“A shatteringly bad outing outside of the protected zone of friendly cable TV nets,” Rasmussen Reports said in its review. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON OUR TOP STORY.

In other developments:
– Omicron wave receding at global epicenter, CDC cautiously optimistic
– Walensky says Sotomayor’s pediatric COVID hospitalization number was off dramatically
– Washington Post columnist argues whether Biden ‘can do a whole lot’ about the economy or COVID
– Moderna CEO pushes for second COVID-19 booster shot, but doctors aren’t yet convinced it’s necessary
– Arizona hospital’s ‘staffing crisis’ means COVID-positive, symptomatic employees permitted to work

Chicago Public Schools close for fourth straight day as mayor blasts teachers union for ‘illegal walk-out’
The Chicago Public Schools has canceled classes for a fourth consecutive day as city officials and representatives from the Chicago Teachers union have failed to come to an agreement on coronavirus safety measures.

The move was announced on Sunday night by the Chicago Public Schools, stating in a tweet that “we remain committed to reaching an agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union as soon as possible.”

The Chicago Public Schools states that a “small number” of schools are planning to offer in-person activities for students on Monday.

On Jan. 4, the Chicago Teachers Union voted to switch to remote learning because of increasing coronavirus cases in the area, stating that the union would go back to in-person learning when either coronavirus cases “substantially subside” or the city signs an agreement on “conditions of return.”

In response, the CPS canceled classes on Wednesday and refused to allow remote learning for students. The district also canceled classes for Thursday and Friday. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

In other developments:
– Chicago Mayor Lightfoot slams teachers’ union for ‘illegal walk-out,’ rejects proposal for remote learning
– Chicago Teachers Union president: ‘Remote learning bad’ is just a ‘talking point’ from mayor
– Chicago parents file lawsuit against teacher’s union: ‘Rug ripped right out from under them again’
– Chicago Public Schools closed despite receiving nearly $2.8B in federal COVID funding

‘Full House’ star Bob Saget found dead in Florida hotel at the age of 65
Actor Bob Saget is dead after being found in a hotel room in Orlando on Sunday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

“Earlier today, deputies were called to the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes for a call about an unresponsive man in a hotel room. The man was identified as Robert Saget & pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives found no signs of foul play or drug use in this case,” the tweet read.

Saget was 65 years old.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told Fox News that deputies responded to a call at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando just after 4 p.m and found Saget unresponsive in a hotel room, and was pronounced dead on the scene. The Orange County Fire Rescue Department also responded to the call.

According to the spokesperson, the Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

In other developments:
– Bob Saget’s family issues statement on his death 
– Bob Saget’s ‘Full House’ co-stars speak out about his unexpected death
– Celebrities react to Bob Saget’s death: ‘The world has lost one of the nicest’
– Bob Saget spent his final days pursuing love for standup at 65: ‘I just want to make people laugh’

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TODAY’S MUST-READS:
– Bronx apartment building fire kills multiple people, including children, firefighters among injured
– AOC tests positive for COVID-19 after partying in Miami maskless
– LAPD releases video showing cops pulling pilot from crashed plane seconds before train crash
– Novak Djokovic wins visa appeal, judge permits him to stay in Australia
– Raiders top Chargers in OT thriller; NFL playoffs 2021-22: Super Wild Card Weekend dates, times & more

THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS:
– CEO embraces the ‘Great Resignation,’ offers $5K to employees who quit
– Investors served painful lesson on higher interest rates as markets cool
– Big Tech company trades liberal California for business-friendly red state
– See how Biden’s inflation crisis will impact your taxes this year
– Not vaccinated? Popular fast-food joint won’t serve you

SOME PARTING WORDS

Mark Levin blasted Democrats for attempting to compare the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to the Civil War and said that the left-wing party is the greatest threat to America on Sunday’s “Life, Liberty & Levin.”

 “Look how the Washington establishment, the media, the Democrat Party, Democrats in Congress, academia and all have all joined together the same organizations, the same people that pushed Russia collusion, … impeachments, and coups … Now they’re telling us that Jan. 6 is [and] … was the greatest threat to America since the Civil War. Of course, that’s a flat-out lie. The greatest threat to America is the Democrat Party,” Levin said.

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This edition of Fox News First was compiled by Fox News’ Jack Durschlag. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! We’ll see you in your inbox first thing Tuesday.