New Covid-19 “variant of concern”
Recorded cases of COVID are rising in the U.S., Europe and Asia, with EG.5 or Eris identified as a variant of concern – fast growing and likely to become the dominant form as immunity levels wane

LINEAGE OF ERIS VARIANT

Eris lineage 
Variant of concern

Wuhan/Hu-1/2019
20A (2020) 
Delta
20B (2020)
Beta
Alpha Gamma 
BA.1
XBB
XBB.1.16
Omicron (2021) 
BA.2 (2022)      
XBB.1.5
XBB.1.9.2 
EG.5
First reported Feb 17, 2023

Extra spike protein mutation gives EG.5 transmission advantage


VARIANT SHARE OF CASES 2023

Global EG.5 infections account for around 17% of total cases, up from just 1% in late May

U.S. hospitalizations are up by 40% since June, but still more than 90% below Jan 2022 Omicron outbreak
    
XBB.1.5
XBB.1.16
XBB.1.9
XBB.2.3 
EG.5

Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 

Sources: Nextstrain, New Scientist, Reuters Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS