WHO and CDC monitoring new, highly mutated COVID variant BA.2.86 detected in multiple countries

The new COVID variant BA.2.86 has been detected in the US, Denmark, Israel, and the UK.
BA.2.86 has over 30 mutations and is classified by WHO as a "variant under monitoring."
It is unknown if BA.2.86 is more transmissible or can evade immunity from vaccines.
Experts say existing vaccines and immunity likely still provide protection against severe disease.
More surveillance is needed to understand the impact of BA.2.86 on case counts and severity.