Rapidly Spreading COVID Variant BA.2.86 Poses Low Public Health Risk

The BA.2.86 variant of COVID-19 has tripled in prevalence in the past two weeks, accounting for nearly 1 in 10 new cases in the United States, according to the CDC. The variant is spreading most rapidly in the Northeast, particularly in New York and New Jersey. While early projections on the variant's prevalence may be less reliable, the CDC has noted a recent increase in emergency department visits linked to COVID-19 nationwide. However, the BA.2.86 variant is considered to pose a "low" public health risk, and current vaccines are expected to be effective against it and its subvariant, JN.1.