Two SARS-COV-2 variants are currently getting coverage in the press, namely BA.2.86 and EG.5. Both are subvariants or lineages of Omicron, however, renewed interest has stemmed from the large number of mutations detected in these viruses. For example, BA.2.86 has more than 30 additional mutations in comparison to BA.2 and more than 35 mutations in comparison to XBB.1.5, which has been the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating in South Africa in recent months.
Update on SARS-CoV-2 variants