More than 100 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported in 12 countries, including the US More cases of a rare disease have been reported worldwide, including in the United States -- where one health official said he expects more cases in the days ahead. Holly Yan, CNN CNN

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Biden: Monkeypox threat doesn't rise to level of COVID-19 TOKYO (AP) — President Joe Biden sought Monday to calm concerns about recent cases of monkeypox that have been identified in Europe and the United States, saying he did not see the need to institute strict quarantine measures. AP NEWS

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Speaking in Tokyo a day after he said the virus was something “to be concerned about,” Biden said, ”I just don’t think it rises to the level of the kind of concern that existed with COVID-19.”

Less deadly than delta? In some states, omicron caused more deaths The omicron variant, though extremely contagious, was considered less deadly than delta. New research shows that wasn't always the case. NBC News

When the omicron variant first emerged last November, many doctors, researchers and scientists hoped that the new strain — while more transmissible — would cause fewer deaths.

A snort or a jab? Scientists debate potential benefits of intranasal Covid-19 vaccines If we want vaccines that protect our upper respiratory tracts, we’re probably going to need products that are administered in the nose — intranasal vaccines. Helen Branswell STAT

As the world amasses experience with Covid-19 vaccines, something we should have known from the start is coming into sharp focus.

COVID-19 cases in Florida continue trending upward The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging more masking for people in some areas of the country where COVID-19 is surging again. Jim Piggott WJXT

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Following Florida’s latest report of new cases to the CDC, the state is now averaging nearly 8,000 new cases a day. The average over the last seven days is 7,909. The last time the state’s average was this high was mid-February, as the state was coming down from the winter omicron peak.

Monkeypox outbreak in Europe 'largest ever' in region as cases cross 100 More than 100 cases of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, have been reported in Europe, with German officials describing the outbreak as the largest ever in the region. Jennifer Rigby,Natalie Grover Reuters

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Reported COVID-19 cases rise above 5,000 in New Hampshire Reported COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire have risen over 5,000 for the first time since mid-February, health officials said Thursday. Kirk Enstrom WMUR

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

Reported COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire have risen over 5,000 for the first time since mid-February, health officials said Thursday.

N. Korea's low death count questioned amid COVID-19 outbreak SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Friday that nearly 10% of its 26 million people have fallen ill and 65 people have died amid its first COVID-19 outbreak, as outside experts question the validity of its reported fatalities and worry about a possible humanitarian crisis. AP NEWS

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COVID cases up 76% among kids in recent weeks It's not just among kids — infections are on the rise nationwide. YahooNews

COVID-19 cases among kids have climbed 76% in recent weeks, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Misinformation Docs See Their Political Stars Rise Familiar names appear on speakers' lists for popular conservative rallies Kristina Fiore medpagetoday

Two of the most visible right-wing, conservative political movements in the U.S. right now -- "Defeat the Mandates" and the "ReAwaken America" tour -- have extensive involvement from physicians who have been flagged for spreading medical misinformation.

Their names often appear on the featured speakers' list at both events: Robert Malone, MD; Peter McCullough, MD; Pierre Kory, MD; and Simone Gold, MD, JD, among others.

CDC urges Pfizer booster for children ages 5 to 11 Kids ages 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the U.S. government said Thursday. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention quickly adopted the panel’s recommendation, opening a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids — just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older. AP NEWS

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