IN THE UNITED STATES, THE OMICRON BA.2 SUBVARIANT IS GAINING POPULARITY

  • 22/03/2022

According to Covid-19 tests sequenced over the previous two weeks, the omicron subvariant BA.2 is gaining popularity in the United States.

Since it first appeared in the United States in early January, Helix, a San Diego-based genomics firm, has been keeping an eye on the BA.2 mutation. Although it was sluggish to catch on at first, Helix currently estimates that BA.2 is present in 50% to 70% of all Covid cases nationwide.

This type of surveillance, according to Will Lee, Helix's chief science officer, is critical and can help arm the US health-care system against future versions. 

According to data from the United Kingdom, where BA.2 has already caused a spike in cases, the country's rise in infections started at the same time that BA.2 exceeded the 50% level in overall cases. The variant appears to be no more severe than the original omicron strain, but it has been linked to extended Covid, which raises concerns about its propensity to reinfect patients.

Overall, the number of cases is decreasing in the United States, but some health professionals are concerned that this trend will not continue. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, instances are already on the rise in New York City, where BA.2 accounts for a higher percentage of infections than in other parts of the country.

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