The coronavirus does not take vacations and is constantly evolving while it can. We have low levels of illness, but the number of cases and hospital admissions has increased in recent weeks, a trend that appears to be slowing down. Most cases of covid are clinically mild. The number of people entering the hospital and mortality remain very low.
A few days ago, the WHO designated the EG.5 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus as a new “variant of interest” (VOI), given its global increase in recent weeks. It is a descendant of omicron and is related to the XBB variant, the most common in most of the world.
The new EG.5 variant, called eris in some media and social networks, has been detected in more than 45 countries, including Spain. In the United States and also in the United Kingdom it already accounts for 15% of cases. It could be predominant in the coming weeks or months. A subvariant has also been identified (EG.5.1).
The overall risk posed by the EG.5 variant, assessed by the WHO, is low and similar to that of the currently circulating XBB variants. This new EG.5 variant has a certain greater ability to escape immunity due to antibodies, and therefore there can be more contagions and more infections. The cases are not more serious. The most common symptoms so far are similar to those of a nasal cold, with a dry cough.
It is possible that the number of cases and incomes will increase, especially among the elderly, but another large wave, not even a tsunami, is likely.
The vaccines we used several months ago as a booster dose targeted the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. The vaccines recommended for this autumn by the World Health Organization and the EMA have been updated and the main goal is to protect us from the XBB variant. It is very likely that these vaccines will also maintain their good effectiveness against the EG.5 variant and continue to prevent severe cases, hospitalizations and deaths from covid.
If the epidemiological situation is stable, the best opportunity to get vaccinated will be between October and December. The protection derived from the antibodies generated by the vaccine will be higher, at least during the following three or four months, a period in which cases of infection by covid and other respiratory viruses are likely to increase.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect us from serious cases of illness and its complications. Everyone who is recommended a new booster dose this fall must be vaccinated. It is necessary and convenient: they are the most vulnerable and most at-risk groups.
By the way, Eris is the name of the second largest dwarf planet in the solar system. The original name corresponds to the Greek goddess of discord, the “responsible” of the Trojan War.
