Just in time for fall, there's a brand new COVID variant making headway in the U.S. Scientists are taking notice of BF.7 because it’s making headway in an increasingly crowded field of Omicron subvariants. Fortune

A new COVID strain started to create waves among virus trackers this week, outpacing nearly all other variants of interest scientists are tracking in the U.S. this autumn. 

Court affirms fines against bars who violated mask mandate MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota appeals court panel has sided with the state health department over fines against bars that violated emergency safety orders during the coronavirus pandemic. The three judges, in a ruling issued Monday, affirmed the health department's authority to suspend the bars' license and levy fines. AP NEWS

The operators of two of the many bars that violated Gov. Tim Walz’s face mask mandate had appealed health officials’ actions against them. ...

DOJ charges 47 people with stealing $250 million from pandemic program meant to provide meals to needy children The Justice Department on Tuesday announced charges against 47 people accused of stealing $250 million from a federal program designed to provide meals for needy children during the pandemic. Hannah Rabinowitz and Omar Jimenez, CNN CNN

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EU health regulator says COVID pandemic not over An official at the European Union's drugs regulator said on Tuesday the COVID-19 pandemic was not over, contradicting U.S. President Joe Biden, and that a planned vaccination campaign in the region during the cold season was key to fighting it. Reuters Reuters

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Biden's comments about pandemic widen public health split over how US should respond to Covid-19 | CNN Even as the US prepares for a potential winter surge of Covid-19, President Biden roamed the cavernous halls of the Detroit Auto Show for an interview on CBS's "60 Minutes" and, gesturing to the mostly maskless attendees, told the nation, "the pandemic is over." Brenda Goodman CNN

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Uganda declares Ebola outbreak after Sudan strain found An outbreak of Ebola has been declared in Uganda after health authorities confirmed a case of the relatively rare Sudan strain, the health ministry and World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. Elias Biryabarema Reuters

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Global Fund gets powerful help with $18 billion funding goal NEW YORK (AP) — The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will get some high-powered help this week to reach its $18 billion goal to fund another three years to slow the spread of these diseases. AP NEWS

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GAVI financing to allow for immediate funds for next pandemic Global vaccine alliance GAVI has set up financial instruments that will allow the group to immediately access pledged donor funding if it needs to buy vaccines for future pandemics, Chief Executive Seth Berkley told Reuters. Michael Erman Reuters

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Is the Covid-19 pandemic over? The answer is more art than science Experts say there are no accepted metrics or defined international rules that tell us when we can call the code on the Covid pandemic. In reality, things are much more ephemeral. Helen Branswell STAT

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