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"So for now, it seems that it may have increased 4transmissibility, but it does not seem to be 5posing more of a 6threat to public health than other variants."

So far, EG. 5 has been 7detected in 51 countries. Its global presence doubling over the last month, with China having the largest portion, about a third of reported cases, 8followed by the U.S., South Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore and the UK at 2%.  EG. 5 was upgraded from a variant under monitoring because global health officials believe it should be 9tracked and 10further studied, says Dr. Aditya Shah with Mayo Clinic. 

"So that we can 11keep an eye on the data and make further 12determination as to if this is more risky or leading to more 13hospitalization."

Right now, the U.S. is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, emergency room visits and hospitalizations, but it's unclear if this specific strain is 14driving those increases. Health experts believe the record heat driving people indoors and summer travel may be helping to drive the 15uptick. An updated COVID booster is expected by fall. 

"Because the booster is 16targeted against XBB and which is the strain of the Omicron family that EG.5 related to or comes from. So 17potentially it should protect against EG.5 as well.