Virus Briefing: Why Omicron might stick around

And U.S. officials are hopeful that monkeypox can be eliminated

View in browser|nytimes.com September 23, 2022 Here's your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. TOP NEWS Kim Raff for The New York Times Matter Why Omicron Might Stick Around Omicron, the 13th named variant of the coronavirus, seems to have a remarkable capacity to evolve new tricks. By Carl Zimmer Kimimasa Mayama/EPA, via Shutterstock Major Covid Holdouts in Asia Drop Border Restrictions Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan have relaxed their pandemic rules, as they look to bolster their economies and play catch-up with much of the world. By Alexandra Stevenson and Ben Dooley Seth Wenig/Associated Press Officials Hopeful That Monkeypox Can Be Eliminated in the U.S. Cases are declining nationally, and the deputy coordinator of the White House monkeypox response team said he expected that, over time, they would drop to a trickle. By Sheryl Gay Stolberg Alessandro Grassani for The New York Times Can you get the flu shot and the new booster at the same time? Combining vaccines may be more convenient, experts said. By Dani Blum Getty Images How do I know if my symptoms are from Covid or the flu? There are slight differences in symptoms, but the best way to tell which infection you have is through a test. By Dani Blum Eli Hartman/Odessa American via AP Companies Fined $325,000 for Selling Pesticide to Fight Coronavirus, E.P.A. Says Zoono USA and Zoono Holdings, New Jersey companies, sold Zoono Microbe Shield through numerous websites and were fined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By McKenna Oxenden Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Estimate Rises to $45.6 Billion A federal watchdog tripled its earlier estimate of benefits that the U.S. government paid to people who weren't entitled to them. By Niraj Chokshi Ibrahim Rayintakath David Wallace-Wells How Big Were Pandemic Learning Losses, Really? Despite the Covid disruption, school test score declines look pretty modest. By David Wallace-Wells What else we're following Coronavirus So far 4.4 million Americans have received the updated boosters since they were rolled out earlier this month, Reuters reports. A new study found that Covid raises the risk of long-term brain injuries, Reuters reports. The U.K. is bracing for what could be a large Covid wave this fall, The Guardian reports. Covid restrictions were lifted at Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters. Then there was an outbreak, LAist reports. At the U.N. General Assembly, there was little talk of the pandemic, The Washington Post reports. The end of Covid? It's worse than we imagined, The Atlantic reports. Monkeypox Monkeypox is making the stigma of skin conditions worse, The Washington Post reports. Other viruses Uganda has confirmed seven Ebola cases and one death in a recent outbreak, Reuters reports. Researchers discovered a new coronavirus in bats that is resistant to current vaccines, Time reports. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward you the briefing? Sign up here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Virus Briefing from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018