Moderna to advance two Omicron vaccine candidates against newer variants Moderna Inc said on Monday it was advancing two Omicron vaccine candidates for the fall, one designed against the BA.1 variant and another against the BA.4 and BA.5. Reuters Reuters

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COVID-19 hospitalizations increase by 10% in Florida With 353 more COVID-19 patients hospitalized and a 10% increase from last week, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department data released Friday showed the highest weekly increase in Florida since June 17. Andrea Torres WPLG

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of data on hospitalizations and testing showed Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties had high COVID-19 levels.

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U.S. orders 3.2 million doses of Novavax COVID vaccine The U.S. government will get 3.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax Inc once the shot has been authorized by the regulators, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the company said on Monday. Reuters Reuters

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EU backs second COVID booster for over-60s, before variant-adapted vaccines are ready European Union health agencies on Monday recommended a second COVID-19 booster for everyone over 60, as well as medically vulnerable people, amid a new rise in infections and hospitalisations across Europe. Natalie Grover,Francesco Guarascio Reuters

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As the BA.5 variant spreads, the risk of coronavirus reinfection grows The latest omicron offshoot, BA.5, has quickly become dominant in the United States, driving a wave of reinfections across the country. Joel Achenbach Washington Post

America has decided the pandemic is over. The coronavirus has other ideas.

New coronavirus mutant raises concerns in India and beyond The quickly changing coronavirus has spawned yet another super contagious omicron mutant that’s worrying scientists as it gains ground in India and pops up in numerous other countries, including the United States. AP NEWS

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US monkeypox cases top 600 in 34 states WHO data show that, among monkeypox patients with known HIV status, 41% are HIV-positive. CIDRAP

The monkeypox virus outbreak is growing in the United States and elsewhere, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now reporting 605 cases in 34 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

New York has the most cases, with 122, followed by California with 116 and Florida with 64.

U.S. FDA grants full approval to Pfizer COVID vaccine for ages 12-15 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it has granted full approval to Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years. Reuters Reuters

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New York City health officials said Friday all New Yorkers should wear high-quality face masks indoors and near crowds due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

 "We're currently seeing high levels of COVID-19 in NYC," the city's Department of Health said in a tweet recommending N95, KN95 or KF94 masks for the public.