COVID-19 Update: New Variant Eris Spreading Across UK; Symptoms Revealed

The coronavirus has continued mutating, and its new variant called Eris has already spread across the United Kingdom. The arrival of Eris emerged amid the rise of COVID-19 cases this summer.

COVID-19 New Variant Eris Spreading Across The UK

The Covid-19 coronavirus variation known as EG.5.1, which is currently circulating, is just another illustration of how the virus will continue to mutate, regardless of how many people want to downplay the harm that the virus still poses. The World Health Organization (WHO) added EG.5# as another SARS-CoV-2 variation on its variant under monitoring (VUM) list on July 19, 2023. The "#" in this instance is not a hashtag used on social media. Instead, it indicates that the current WHO VUM in question covers all variants that begin with EG.5, including EG.5 and EG.5.1. You probably don't want to stand under the EG.5# umbrella because it can still trigger your Covid-19 and possibly lengthy Covid, Forbes reported.

T. Ryan Gregory, Ph.D., a professor of integrative biology at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, gave EG.5.1 variation of the nickname "Eris" on Twitter. Since it has been spreading, it seems more contagious than earlier versions. The most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variety, EG.5.1, is now essentially the "Eris" to the throne.

Per Forbes, Eris is not the official name. However, Gregory used it while referencing a Wikipedia link describing Eris as the "most massive and second-largest known dwarf planet in the Solar System."

According to the U.K. Health Security Agency, as of July 20, the EG.5.1 variant accounted for an estimated 14.55% of all Covid-19 cases and expanded to 20.51% each week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Covid-19 Data Tracker shows that in the U.S., the EG.5 variations increased from an estimated 11.9% of all Covid-19 cases during the two weeks ending July 22 to 17.3% during the two weeks ending August 5. It has surpassed the XBB.1.16 to become the most common variety in the United States.

COVID-19 Eris Variant Symptoms

Eris is a strain of Omicron, and the most common symptoms of the latter include runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. Prof Christina Pagel told The Independent that the new wave was due to Omicron subvariants, including Arcturus and Eris. Another factor is the waning immunity and poor weather in the country.

However, she believed the spread might slow down over the summer since schools are closed, and people travel abroad. She added that it would dominate in September when kids return to school.

The COVID-19 expert also noted that most people are already nearly two years from their last vaccination. Also, the majority are several months out from their previous infection. Thus, she expected the upcoming wave next month to "grow faster."

Professor Azeem Majeed, director of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, brushed down the dangers of the Eris strain.

He doesn't think the public should be overly concerned about the recent rise in Covid-19 cases. According to him, there will be times when the number of cases in the UK rises, and case counts fluctuate.

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