New Covid-19 'Eris' variant is spreading amongst Brits, here is how worried you should be

As autumn is approaching, the last thing we want to have ahead of the Christmas season is another pandemic.

Although the probability of this scenario is currently assessed as low, doctors are pleading with Brits to not let down their guard, especially since a new Covid-19 variant - Eris - is on the rise.

Scientifically known as EG.5.1, it is descended from the Omicron and already accounts for one in seven new cases, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns.

Here is how worried you should be.

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A new Covid variant is spreading

A new Covid-19 Eris variant is already making up one in seven new cases and spreading across the UK, UKHSA warns.

The health authorities have been monitoring it after the cases increased internationally, particularly in Asia. It was classified as a variant in Britain on 31 July.

Scientifically known as EG.5.1, it is descended from the Omicron.

In the week beginning 10 July, one in nine cases were down to Eris variant.

The latest data suggests it now accounts for 14.6% of cases - the second most prevalent in the UK.

Eris variant seems to be spreading quickly and could be the reason behind a recent rise hospitalisations.

The Arcturus XBB.1.16 variant - another descendant of Omicron - is the most dominant, UKHSA figures show. It makes up 39.4% of all cases.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) started tracking the EG.5.1 Eris variant just over two weeks ago.

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WHO urges to stay vigilant with the new Covid variant

Data shows that Covid-19 continues to increase - up from 3.7% of 4,403 respiratory cases last week to 5.4% of 4,396 this week.

Hospital admission was up to 1.97 per 100,000 population - an increase from 1.17.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UKHSA, said:

We have seen a small rise in hospital admission rates in most age groups, particularly among the elderly. Overall levels of admission still remain extremely low and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admissions.

We will continue to monitor these rates closely.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to not let down their guard.

He said:

WHO continues to advise people at high risk to wear a mask in crowded places, to get boosters when recommended, and to ensure adequate ventilation indoors.

And we urge governments to maintain and not dismantle the systems they built for Covid-19.

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Sources used:

- Sky News: 'COVID-19: New variant spreading across UK - as overall cases continue to rise'