EG.5.1 Nicknamed ‘Eris’ Is New Covid-19 Variant Spreading, Monitored By WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the EG.5 variants as variants under monitoring (VUM) ever since July 19. Bruce Y. Lee Forbes

...EG.5.1 doesn’t seem to be producing different, more or more severe Covid-19 symptoms.

A new Covid variant dubbed Eris has emerged as hospital admissions spike amid bad weather and waning immunity this summer.

A descendant of Omicron, Eris, or EG.5.1, was first classified as a variant in the UK on 31 July, but now accounts for one in 10 Covid cases.

It is now the second most prevalent variant in the UK, after Arcturus which makes up almost half of all infection cases at 39.4 per cent, according to UKHSA.

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Study finds climate change fingerprints on July heat waves in Europe, China and America Climate change’s sweaty fingerprints are all over the July heat waves gripping much of the globe. A new study finds these intense and deadly hot spells in the American Southwest and Southern Europe could not have occurred without it. AP News

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Ready for another 'tripledemic'? CDC prepares for a winter of '3 bugs out there' Vaccine fatigue is already here, although many Americans will be urged to get three different shots this fall. NBC News

Even as the nation is faced with blistering heat waves this summer, Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is already thinking ahead to cold and flu season this winter.

New US pandemic office set to launch Welcome to The Hill’s Health Care newsletter{beacon} Health Care Health Care  The Big Story  White House launching permanent pandemic officeThe White House has tapped retired Air Force M… vroseborough The Hill

The White House has tapped retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Friedrichs to lead a newly created office to manage and respond to future pandemics.

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Early US indicators show ongoing slight rise in COVID-19 activity CIDRAP

Though the nation's COVID-19 activity is still at very low levels, for the second week in a row early indicators such as emergency department (ED) visits and test-positivity rates show small rises, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its latest data updates.

Also today, the CDC updated its Omicron variant projections, showing more rises in newer versions such as EG.5 and XBB.1.16.6. And in another US development, the Biden administration today announced its pick to lead the new White House pandemic preparedness and response office.

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Europe recommends the approval of Pfizer's RSV vaccine for older adults and in pregnancy European regulators on Friday recommended the approval of Pfizer’s RSV vaccine both for older adults and for use in pregnancy. Andrew Joseph STAT

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Tornado damage to Pfizer plant will probably create long-term shortages of some drugs hospitals need U.S. hospital drug supplies may be strained further after a tornado ripped open the roof of a Pfizer factory this week. AP News

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