
New Omicron BA.2 Sub-Variant Gains Foothold In US: All You Need To Know
NDTV
The BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 together accounted for an estimated 93 per cent of new COVID-19 cases last week in the US, according to CDC.
The BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron has produced more mutated offshoots, which are gaining foothold in the United States, according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC). While BA.2 still is the dominant variant in the US, BA.2.12.1 now accounts for roughly one in five new cases across the country, the health agency further said. Here, the one to watch just based on mutations is B.2.12.1 which has spike mutations S704L and L452Q on top of BA.2 background. Previously, L452R appeared to have an important role in promoting the spread of Delta and also showed up in Epsilon and Lambda. 6/17
At least 21 viral offspring of the BA.2 have been reported globally, the CNN reported. But except BA.2.12.1, others have mutations of little significance.
The CDC data shows that BA.2.12.1 causes 19 per cent of the new cases in the US last week, up from 11 per cent case a week before and seven per cent a week before that.