September 21, 2023- Across 10 states, people have been infected by BA.2.86, a highly mutated variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Authorities have been closely tracking the emerging variant.
According to data from the global virus database GISAID, labs have reported BA.2.86 in samples from states including Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Other strains are still the most prevalent nationwide, as BA.2.86 still remains a small fraction of new cases. Health authorities believe that the strain is, however, continuing to spread widely around the world.
Vaccine manufacturers said that their data suggests that the updated COVID-19 shots that have begun to be rolled out should work against the BA.2.86 strain.