As of late October, the HV.1 variant accounted for approximately 25% of new coronavirus cases in the United States, surpassing other circulating strains in prevalence.
Initially documented in low numbers during the summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HV.1, a subvariant of omicron, has now become the predominant strain, responsible for a quarter of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. by late October. It is noteworthy that HV.1 traces its lineage to EG.5, the second most common variant in the U.S., representing nearly 22% of new cases, according to CDC estimates.
Despite its rising prevalence, health officials are cautious not to raise alarm about HV.1. This reserve stems from its striking similarity to EG.5, also known as “Eris”, to the extent that the World Health Organization does not distinguish between the two in its estimates. Globally, Eris accounts for approximately 46% of cases as of late October, including those attributed to HV.1 and another similar strain, HK.5.
While HV.1 does not appear to induce more severe disease, it is anticipated to share the high transmissibility characteristic of Eris. The concern lies in the potential for the accumulation of mutations leading to the emergence of variants that may evade existing immunity, as explained by Dr. Perry N. Halkitis, Dean of Rutgers School of Public Health.
Despite the similarities between HV.1 and EG.5, current coronavirus vaccines are expected to be effective against the new variant. However, the impact of the vaccines is constrained by the relatively low uptake. Data from national surveys indicate that only about 7% of U.S. adults and 2% of children received the updated COVID-19 vaccines in the first month of availability. Although initial challenges related to availability and insurance have largely been resolved, vaccine hesitancy and fatigue persist, with nearly 38% of adults expressing reluctance to receive the vaccine for themselves or their children.
The decline or stagnation in weekly hospital admissions in the U.S. for COVID-19 over the past two months is observed, but the numbers remain elevated, with over 15,700 new admissions in the last full week of October—more than double the summer’s low in June.
As the late summer wave subsides and the winter months approach, experts anticipate a potential surge in COVID-19 infections, given that colder temperatures may drive people indoors, facilitating the spread of the virus. The CDC’s respiratory disease season outlook predicts a “moderate” COVID-19 wave, with ongoing emergence of variants, although not resulting in rapid disease surges.
In light of the evolving nature of the virus, experts underscore the importance of vaccination and adherence to preventive measures to mitigate the spread and adaptation of new variants. As Dr. Halkitis emphasizes, the more the virus spreads, the higher the likelihood of mutations, necessitating ongoing vigilance and public health measures.
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; COVID-19: coronavirus disease of 2019
Link to the original news article: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-11-09/what-to-know-about-the-latest-covid-19-variant-hv-1
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