August 7, 2023 – COVID-19 hospitalizations proceed to rise steadily over the summer, and now a brand new variant is at the highest of the list of probably the most widespread types of the virus.
The EG.5 strain, generally known as “Eris” amongst keen COVID trackers, now accounts for 17% of all COVID infections within the U.S., in keeping with the CDC's latest estimates, up from 12% the week before.
EG.5 is on the rise worldwide, just weeks after the World Health Organization added the strain to its official monitoring list. In the United Kingdom, it now accounts for one in ten COVID cases. The Independent reported.
EG.5 is a descendant of the XBB strains which have dominated tracking lists in recent months. It has the identical composition as XBB.1.9.2, but carries an extra spike mutation, in keeping with a Summary published by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy on the University of Minnesota. The spike protein is the a part of the virus that permits it to enter human cells. But thus far there isn't any evidence that EG.5 is more contagious or severe than other newer variants, in keeping with the CIDRAP summary and a recent Podcast from the American Medical Association. The CDC said current vaccines protect against the variant.
In U.S. hospitals, COVID admissions rose 12% over the past week. A complete of 8,035 people have been admitted for the virus. The week of June 24 saw the number never as little as today (6,306). In 17 states, the rise in hospitalizations over the past week was 20% or more. In Minnesota, the speed rose 50% and in West Virginia, it rose 63%. Meanwhile, the death rate reached its lowest weekly level ever for the week ending July 29: The CDC reported just 176 deaths.
