Rapid Spread of BA.2.86 COVID Variant Raises Concerns in the US

The World Health Organization (WHO) has upgraded the BA.2.86 variant, including its offshoots, to a variant of interest as its global proportions, including in the United States, continue to grow. The BA.2.86 variant now accounts for about 9% of circulating viruses in the US. While the immune escape potential of BA.2.86 is expected to be less dramatic than that of the Omicron variant, studies suggest that updated vaccines will provide added protection. The public health risk is currently low, and there is no indication that BA.2.86 will cause more severe disease. The CDC also shares the assessment that the public health risk is low, and BA.2.86 is not driving increases in cases and hospitalizations.