Omicron BA.2 to become dominant worldwide, WHO says

The subvariant of the omicron variant might dominate the world quickly sufficient, the WHO believes.

Illustration by Zoe Peterson, Deseret Information

The omicron variant’s subvariant BA.2 is prone to change into essentially the most dominant variant on the planet, The Jerusalem Submit experiences.

What’s happening: Dr. Dorit Nitzan, regional emergency director for the WHO, advised The Jerusalem Submit that the subvariant of the omicron variant has a reasonably sturdy trajectory and that it's going to unfold rapidly all through the world.

Why it issues: There are indicators that the coronavirus omicron variant wave may be dipping, however that doesn’t imply COVID-19 goes away anytime quickly with these fast-spreading subvariants.

• Some nations have not seen a peak but, both, based on Reuters.

What she mentioned: “The anticipated trajectory is that it's going to change into the brand new dominant variant, as as soon as it crosses previous a sure threshold it turns into dominant — like we’re seeing in Denmark and the U.Ok.,” Nitzan mentioned.

• “It strikes from individual to individual a lot quicker,” she defined. “For those who’re with somebody in a room who has the virus, you'll get it. The second you're taking your masks off to drink and eat — you by no means know whenever you’ll get it. We are able to see this in Denmark, it strikes so rapidly.”

Sure, however: There doesn't appear to be any danger for the BA.2 subvariant to reinfect individuals who had the omicron variant, she mentioned.

The larger image: The World Well being Group mentioned final week that it's watching the BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.3 variations of the omicron variant proper now, all of which fall underneath the broader omicron variant umbrella, as I reported for the Deseret Information.

• “This virus is harmful, and it continues to evolve earlier than our very eyes,” mentioned WHO Director-Basic Tedros Ghebreyesus, based on Deadline. “WHO is at present monitoring 4 sublineages of the omicron variant of concern, together with BA.2.”