The CDC estimates that nearly 1 in 10 new COVID-19 cases in the US are now attributed to the BA.2.86 variant. This marks a nearly threefold increase from two weeks ago. The prevalence of this highly mutated variant is highest in the Northeast, accounting for 13.1% of cases in the New York and New Jersey region. The CDC's estimates indicate that BA.2.86 is now a standalone variant, previously grouped with other BA.2 strains. Despite the surge, the CDC suggests that BA.2.86 does not appear to be driving significant increases in infections or hospitalizations in the US. The World Health Organization has classified BA.2.86 and its descendants as a "variant of interest" due to a rise in cases. The CDC also notes a growing subvariant called JN.1, which is currently the most common version of BA.2.86 in the US.