A new variant of Covid-19 has been designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization, although the risk to public health has been assessed as low.
The variant, known as EG.5 or "Eris", is related to a sub-variant of Omicron known as XBB.1.9.2 and is spreading globally, including the UK, China and the US.
However, the WHO suggested that the variant does not pose a particular threat. Based on the available evidence, the public health risk from EG.5 is assessed as low globally.
To date, there have been no changes in the severity of the disease.
"It will probably cause more infections and all the problems that come with it - like more hospitalizations or Covid being longer - but there's no reason at the moment to think it's going to be any worse than previous waves this year," Christina Pager, a professor at University College London, told the Guardian.
"Vaccination remains our best defense against future waves of Covid-19, so it's important that people get all doses as soon as possible."
