WASHINGTON (Aug. 16, 2023)--An Omicron variant known as Eris or EG.5 now makes up about 17% of cases in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The news comes at a time when the country is experiencing a surge in summer COVID cases and suggests Americans should prepare for another uptick this fall.
The George Washington University has experts that can talk about the new variant, the need for continued surveillance and the importance of boosters, which can protect against severe disease. To schedule an interview with a GW expert, please contact Kathy Fackelmann at [email protected] or Rachel Larris at [email protected].
Lynn R. Goldman, the Michael and Lori Milken Dean of GW Milken Institute School of Public Health, is an expert on emergency/public health preparedness and has deep knowledge of the intersection of policy and public health. She can talk about COVID’s trajectory, how to protect vulnerable populations and the need for an early warning system for new variants.
Jeffrey Levi, a professor of health policy and management, is an expert on how policy decisions can affect the healthcare system and the nation’s ability to respond to the ongoing challenges brought up by the virus.
Christopher Mores, a professor of global health, is an arbovirologist and an expert on infectious diseases like COVID. He can discuss the new variant, virus transmission patterns and what to expect from COVID in the fall.
Tara Palmore is a professor of Infectious Diseases and Director of Travelers' Clinic at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences. She can discuss the recent spread of the new COVID variant.
Emily R. Smith is an assistant professor of global health. She is the author of a study published earlier this year showing that pregnant women with COVID are seven times higher risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth and can discuss the impact of COVID during pregnancy.
Tenagne Haile-Mariam, is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She can discuss COVID protections and risks in the workplace and medical facilities.