COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by 21.6% since July 12, per CDC’s August 12 report.  The emergence of the new BA.2.86 variant prompted some areas to reintroduce mask mandates. Masking and updated booster shots are crucial precautions to lower serious COVID-19 outcomes, especially for individuals with higher risk of severe illness.

The current uptick in COVID cases in the U.S. are not being driven by BA.2.86 (Pirola), but by another variant called EG.5 (Eris).

The new COVID-19 vaccine boosters are based on the XBB1.5 variant that was dominant earlier this year.

While XBB strains are no longer dominant, the current dominant strains of COVID-19 are in the same family tree as XBB. This fall's updated boosters are expected to offer increased protection against the current dominant strains (including EG.5) in addition to XBB1.5.

There was initially concern about the effectiveness of vaccines against Pirola (BA.2.86) because it has more genetic differences from XBB than other current circulating strains. However, early data from multiple labs suggest that the new vaccine will also be effective against Pirola (BA.2.86).

The CDC still recommends that all persons 6 months of age and older receive a COVID-19 booster.

Scientists are continuing to study the effectiveness of the vaccine against Pirola (BA.2.86).

The CDC continues to monitor the prevalence of the Pirola variant (BA.2.86).