Worry Rises Over New Strain; EU Clears Kids’ Shots: Virus Update

Scientists in South Africa are studying a recently identified new coronavirus variant of concern, stoking fears the country may face a potentially severe fourth wave that could spread internationally. U.K. authorities will temporarily ban flights from six African countries and place travelers into quarantine over worries about the new, dramatically different viral strain.

The European Union’s drug regulator has recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11. Separately, the EU plans to limit vaccine validity for travel purposes to nine months, signaling the need for boosters. Germany passed 100,000 Covid deaths, with new infections still rising and hospitals in some cities becoming overwhelmed.