New COVID variant EG.5, dubbed 'Eris,' now dominant in US but not causing more severe illness

The EG.5 variant, nicknamed 'Eris,' has rapidly become the dominant COVID strain in the US, accounting for over 17% of cases.
EG.5 is a descendant of the omicron variant and does not appear to cause more severe disease compared to other variants.
The World Health Organization has designated EG.5 a 'variant of interest' due to its increasing prevalence globally.
Experts say the rise in COVID hospitalizations is likely driven by factors like waning immunity rather than new variants.
Updated boosters targeting EG.5's parent XBB strain will be available by fall and should offer protection.