A new Covid subvariant dubbed Eris has emerged in the UK, causing a spike in hospital admissions this summer. Medically known as EG.5.1, Eris has been blamed for the recent rise in cases – as well as another subvariant called Arcturus. Cold, wet weather and our waning immunity is also apparently causing Covid to spread throughout the country. Here’s all you need to know about Eris, from its symptoms to what experts are saying about it.
What are the top Covid Eris symptoms to look out for?
Some of the most common symptoms to watch out for are as follows.
- Sore throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Cough with or without phlegm
- Headache
- Hoarse voice
- Aching muscles
- Altered sense of smell
What do the experts say?
Independent Sage member Prof. Christina Pagel told the Independent that there is a possibility that the spread of Eris might slow down throughout the summer holidays, as schools are closed and many Brits are going away on holiday. However, things will likely speed up again as we approach the autumn.
She said: ‘Most people are now over 18 months from their last vaccine’ and that the majority of people are also ‘several months out from their last infection, too.’
‘It is likely to be dominant by September, when kids return to school and adults to work or university. Plus, we start spending much more time inside.’
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