2023-08-16 10:17:18
By Antoni Trilla, epidemiologist.
The coronavirus does not take vacations and is constantly evolving while it can. We are at low levels of disease, but in recent weeks the number of cases and hospital admissions have increased, a trend that seems to be slowing down. Most covid cases are clinically mild. The number of people admitted to the ICU and mortality are still 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, nicknamed eris in some media and social networks, has been detected in more than 45 countries, including Spain. In the US and the UK it already accounts for 15% of cases. It could be predominant in the coming weeks or months. A subvariant (EG.5.1) has also been identified.
The overall risk posed by the EG.5 variant, assessed by the WHO, is low and similar to that of currently circulating XBB variants. This new EG.5 variant has a somewhat greater ability to escape immunity due to antibodies, and therefore there may 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 admissions will increase, especially among the elderly, but a new great wave is not likely, much less a tsunami.
The vaccines that we used several months ago as a booster dose were directed against the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. The vaccines recommended for this fall by the WHO and the EMA have been updated and their main objective is to protect us against 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 serious 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 for at least the next 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 ourselves against serious cases of disease and its complications. Everyone who is recommended a new booster dose this fall should get 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” for the Trojan War. And don’t forget that those who are recommended a booster dose should get vaccinated this fall.
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