New Omicron Variants , Competing Ahead of Expected , Winter Surge.
'The Independent' reports that new variants of
COVID have continued to spread around the
world, leading experts to warn of rising cases.
Three new strains of Omicron have
emerged: Eris, Pi and Pirola. .
According to the Zoe Health Study,
the United Kingdom has recorded over
93,083 new cases as of September 3.
In its latest update, the UK Health Security Agency
(UKHSA) said that ICU and hospital admission
rates have increased across most age groups.
According to virologist Lawrence Young,
the latest Omicron variant to emerge this
summer is BA.2.86, otherwise known as Pirola.
As of August 23, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention had only detected
two cases of Pirola in the U.S.
Another Omicron variant, EG.5.1, otherwise
known as Eris, was first identified by the
World Health Organization (WHO) on August 9.
It has become the most prevalent
variant circulating in the U.S. and the second
most prevalent variant in the UK. .
It has become the most prevalent
variant circulating in the U.S. and the second
most prevalent variant in the UK. .
Virologist Professor Lawrence Young
warns that Eris has an additional mutation , "which might account for its ability to evade
the neutralizing antibody response from
previous Omicron infections.".
Two other currently circulating variants are XBB.1.16,
or Arcturus, which is the most common variant in
the UK, and BA.6, or Pi, another Omicron variant.