What to know about COVID Eris : COVID Eris variant spreading in UK and US this summer
The World Health Organization WHO is monitoring a new COVID-19 variant called EG.5.1, also known as Eris, which has increased hospitalizations in the UK and US.
Eris is the second most common variant infecting people in the UK, accounting for 14.55% of cases and growing at a rate of 20.51% per week. It trails fellow Omicron subvariant Arcturus at 41.82% of U.S. cases.
The variant Eris, also known as EG.5, was added to the WHO watch list under E.G5#, covering the EG.5 lineage. Professor T. Ryan Gregory, from the University of Guelph, began calling it Eris in X posts.
Florida is experiencing a COVID-19 summer surge, but the new variant Eris has become the most prevalent in the US, surpassing Arcturus. Eris has 17.3% of cases in the two-week period ending August 5.
Both the U.S. and U.K. have endured an increase in COVID hospitalizations over the summer months, with the U.S. seeing a 12.1% increase in hospital admissions the week ending July 22, according to CDC tracking.
In England, there was a 40.7% increase in hospitalizations the week ending July 29 versus the seven days prior, according to the UKHSA.
What are the symptoms of Eris?
According to Zoe Health Study, an organization that monitors and estimates COVID cases in the U.K., Eris has similar symptoms to Omicron. The most common include:
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Fatigue
Sneezing
Sore throat
Coughing
Changes to sense of smell
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What to do if you test positive
If you believe you may have COVID or test positive, the CDC suggests several ways to treat the symptoms and stop the spread.
Stay home and separate from others.
Improve ventilation in your home.
Mask with an N-95 or other high-quality mask when around other people.
Keep up to date on COVID vaccines and boosters.
Monitor symptoms and stay in touch with your healthcare provider.
Take medications and treatments as prescribed.
Rest and use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms like headache.
Practice hygiene such as washing hands often and cleaning shared surfaces.
Use their testing and treatment location tool to find resources in your area.
