Around 800,000 individuals in the UK are believed to be currently affected by the new variant of Covid, named Eris, based on the latest data. This subvariant of the Omicron variant shares many symptoms with its parent strain and is responsible for approximately one in seven Covid cases in the country.

Comparing figures from the start of last month to the present, the number of people with Covid has risen significantly. On July 29, 7.2 out of every 100,000 people were found to have the virus, a noticeable increase from the 3.3 reported earlier in the month.

However, it’s important to note that hospitalizations linked to the Eris variant remain “extremely low,” as indicated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Eris made its entry into the UK in May, and the World Health Organization included it on its watch list as EG.5.1. Despite this, Eris is not classified as a variant of concern.

Dr. Mary Ramsay, the head of immunization at the UK Health Security Agency, highlighted the rise in Covid-19 cases and mentioned a slight increase in hospital admissions, particularly among the elderly. While overall hospital admission rates remain low, the situation is being closely monitored, she stated.

The daily rate of Covid infections has surpassed 50,000 individuals, according to the ZOE study. Northern Ireland leads in the rapid spread of the disease, followed by Scotland, Wales, the West Midlands, the South West, the North East, and London.

Symptoms associated with the Eris variant include a sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing, dry cough, headache, wet cough, hoarse voice, muscle aches, and altered smell.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, pointed out that the recent surge in cases might be due to poor weather conditions and an increase in cinema visits, possibly connected to the “Barbieheimer” trend. He cautioned against complacency in dealing with Covid and emphasized the importance of staying vigilant against emerging variants.

Independent Sage member Prof Christina Pagel expressed concerns about the potential emergence of Omicron subvariants, Arcturus and Eris, owing to waning immunity and unfavorable weather conditions. She anticipated Eris could become dominant by September, coinciding with the return of children to school and adults to work or university.

As the UK continues to navigate the evolving landscape of Covid variants, public health measures and vigilance remain key to managing potential outbreaks.