There are 2 omicron variant subvariants. Here’s what you should know

The “stealth omicron” is already on the highest of specialists’ minds. So what's it that worries them?

Illustration by Alex Cochran, Deseret Information

The extremely contagious omicron variant has three subtypes, all of which have been known as “stealth omicron.”

The information: Over the weekend, scientists began to specific considerations about “stealth omicron” — a subvariant of the omicron variant.

• The World Well being Group stated that the brand new variant, BA.2, has 32 mutations in widespread with BA.1, which is the unique omicron variant.
• Nonetheless, there’s additionally BA.3, which is one other subvariant of the omicron variant.
• Denmark, the UK, Singapore and India have already seen case numbers related to the BA.2 and BA.3 subvariants, per Insider.

What they’re saying:Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, an epidemiologist and well being economist and a senior fellow on the Federation of American Scientists, tweeted over the weekend that he's “involved” concerning the new subtype as a result of it's account for increasingly omicron variant circumstances.

Sure, however: “Preliminary evaluation reveals no variations in hospitalizations for BA.2 in comparison with BA.1,” stated Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut, a government-funded infectious illness analysis heart, in a assertion. “It's anticipated that vaccines additionally have an impact in opposition to extreme sickness upon BA.2 an infection.”

What’s subsequent:Tom Peacock, a researcher at Imperial Faculty London, stated the subvariants received’t seemingly trigger one other wave.

• ”I believe the seemingly state of affairs is BA.2 simply exacerbates what the nationwide omicron state of affairs is (slows down decreases, will increase peaks, and so forth).”
• Peacock informed the Monetary Occasions that the subvariants should not a “main reason behind concern,” however they're “undoubtedly price maintaining a tally of.”