Stealth Omicron Now Dominant COVID Variant in U.S.

March 29, 2022

The so-called stealth Omicron variant is now the dominant COVID-19 pressure within the United States, in accordance with knowledge from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also generally known as BA.2, the pressure comprised practically 55 % of home coronavirus circumstances for the week ending March 26.

The variant, which has been seen in increased numbers on the East Coast, was solely accountable for 35 % of circumstances throughout the week ending in March 19 and 22 % every week earlier than, in accordance with the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker.

BA. 2 now accounts for greater than 70 % of circumstances within the Northeast.

The Omicron subvariant is extra contagious than the unique however doesn’t seem to trigger extra extreme illness. BA.2 spreads about 1.5 occasions sooner than the unique Omicron pressure, although it has not elevated hospitalizations or decreased vaccine effectiveness.

The pressure has been detected in excessive numbers all through a number of different international locations, together with Denmark, the United Kingdom and India.