New COVID variants, both sub-variants of the Omicron, are in the news currently for driving COVID cases after a short break. EG.5, which is nicknamed Eris, accounts for 17% of the total cases of COVID in the US; the variant is also spreading faster in the UK. Meanwhile, BA.2.86, dubbed as BA.X has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and put under variant under monitoring list. New COVID variants, both sub-variants of the Omicron, are in the news currently for driving COVID cases after a short break. EG.5, which is nicknamed Eris, accounts for 17% of the total cases of COVID in the US; the variant is also spreading faster in the UK. Meanwhile, BA.2.86, dubbed as BA.X has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and put under variant under monitoring list.