The latest COVID variants are EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (Pirola). EG.5 is the most common variant right now. EG.5 can be detected with existing tests, does not make people sicker than past variants, and existing treatments work against it. Scientists are still learning about BA.2.86 and if the coming COVID vaccine will protect against both variants.

Variants are common for viruses as they change and mutate. Each variant can cause a virus to spread more or be resistant to existing treatment or vaccines.

The United States is seeing a recent increase in COVID cases and increase of hospitalizations by 19% that is most likely due to the EG.5.

Those who are up-to-date with boosters have a lower likelihood of being hospitalized than those who are not vaccinated or not up-to-date.

The BA.2.86 variant does not seem to make people sicker, tests should detect the virus, and treatments seem to be effective.

The transmission rate of BA.2.86 is still unknown and scientists do not know if this variant could cause a surge.

It is too early to know whether the new booster vaccine will protect against the mutated variant, BA.2.86.