The Latest on COVID-19

• ​​The WHO has added another variant of COVID-19 to its list of “variants of interest.” The Mu variant (B.1.621) was added to the watch list on August 30 after being detected in 39 countries. It’s been found to have mutations that could make it less susceptible to immune protection.
• Scientists and psychiatrists warn that COVID-19’s degenerative effect on the brain will accelerate a dementia pandemic that could affect an estimated 80 million people by the end of the decade, reported the Financial Times.
• The New York Times reports that two vaccine regulators are leaving the FDA. Dr. Marion Gruber, the director of the FDA’s vaccines office, and her deputy, Dr. Philip Krause, will both leave by November. The officials are leaving in part due to concerns that COVID-19 booster shots are being recommended without enough evidence of their efficacy, according to the report.