COVID-19 new variant mutation.Photo: Getty
A new subvariant of omicron isnow spreading rapidly in the U.S., and health experts say it will likely become the dominant strain of the virus in the country in upcoming weeks.
The subvariant, named B.A.2.12.1, is a new mutation of the highly contagious omicron COVID-19 variant. It was first detected in New York last month and made up 36% of all new cases in the United States in the week ending April 30, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, recently explained that though the subvariant is about 27% more contagious than the original form of omicron andmore contagious than the last subvariant, BA.2, it doesn’t cause a more severe case of COVID.
“Epidemiologically, it doesn’t appear as if we’re seeing more severe disease in places that are having more cases,” she said. “So we are not anticipating more severe disease from some of these subvariants, but we are actively studying it.”
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“We continue to believe that those who are vaccinated and especially those who are boosted continue to have strong protection against severe disease, even from BA.2.12.1,” Walenskyadded.
Earlier this year, theCDC reported that a new omicron subvariant, BA.2, was spreading in the U.S. but said it was unlikely to cause significant problems as more Americans become vaccinated and boosted. Though cases started to go up, the number of hospitalizations and deaths remained stable.
As of April 30, the BA.2 subvariant still makes up the majority of U.S. cases at 62%, but BA.2.12.1 is rapidly overtaking it, and cases with the subvariant jumped from 27% to 36% in a week,according to the CDC.
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source: people.com
