Global Covid-19 cases see 80% rise amid concerns over new EG.5 variant
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Following the detection of a new strain of the novel coronavirus, data put out by the World Health Organizations shows an 80 per cent rise in Covid-19 cases around the world.
The variant, known as EG.5 or “Eris”, is related to an Omicron subvariant called XBB.1.9.2, and is growing in prevalence globally, with countries including the UK, China and US among those affected.
In its weekly update, the UN agency said that nations reported nearly 1.5 million new cases from July 10 to August 6, an 80 per cent increase compared to the previous 28 days. However, the number of deaths fell by 57 per cent to 2,500.
