Fourth wave of Covid-19 coming? Omicron subvariant behind new cases in US

Figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem as some countries also report a drop in testing rates, the WHO has warned, warning nations to remain vigilant against the virus.

Washington: Triggering fresh concerns about the possible fourth wave, the latest data of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that the BA.2 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant now makes up nearly a quarter of new Covid-19 infections in the US.

This data is up from around 1 in 10 new cases just a week prior, Xinhua news agency reported. The BA.2 variant is spreading fast in the country, with infections nearly doubling every week, according to CDC data.

Early studies showed that BA.2 may be up to 30 per cent more transmissible than the original Omicron. Meanwhile, figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem as some countries also report a drop in testing rates, the WHO has warned, warning nations to remain vigilant against the virus.

After more than a month of decline, Covid-19 cases started to increase around the world last week, the WHO said, with lockdowns in Asia and China’s Jilin province battling to contain an outbreak.

A combination of factors was causing the increases, including the highly transmissible Omicron variant and its BA.2 sublineage, and the lifting of public health and social measures, the WHO said.