Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 accounts for 40.5% of U.S. COVID cases: CDC
The Hindu
Recombinants of the BA.2 variant, XBB and XBB.1.5 together accounted for 44.1% of the total cases in the U.S.
Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is estimated to account for 40.5% of COVID-19 cases in the United States in the week of December 31, nearly doubling from the previous week, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed on Friday.
Recombinants of the BA.2 variant, XBB and XBB.1.5 together accounted for 44.1% of the total cases in the country for the week ended December 31. For the week ended December 24, XBB.1.5 had made up 21.7% of the total cases.
The XBB variant has been driving up cases in parts of Asia, including Singapore. While some experts have said it is more transmissible, it has not resulted in a surge in hospitalizations.
The agency began reporting data for the two subvariants separately from this week, and the updated numbers reflect that XBB accounted for 3.6% of the total cases compared with 4.2% in the previous week.
Kurdish-led SDF launches counter-offensive against Ankara-backed SNA near Syria's border, intensifying clashes post-Assad era.
Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp after two years, sparking debate among officials and lawmakers over internet restrictions.
Israeli troops evacuate Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, amid ongoing conflict with Hamas, displacing patients to Gaza City.
Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in Mediterranean, leaving two missing crew members, according to Spanish and Russian authorities.
Syria's new leader consolidates rebel factions under Defence Ministry to prevent clashes, appoints former rebel as defence minister.
American Airlines grounds all U.S. flights due to technical issue, disrupting Christmas Eve travel plans for thousands of passengers.
Gene Spector, a former executive in Russia, faces espionage charges after a previous bribery conviction, receiving a 15-year jail term.
Indian Ocean tsunami 2004: Former Indian Navy Officer Commodore G Prakash reflects on the 2004 Asian tsunami, emphasizing the importance of disaster response and management.
India to provide ₹2,371 million to Sri Lanka for 33 development projects in education, health, and agriculture sectors.
After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year regime on August 5, Bangladesh has experienced a sharp rise in mob violence, fabricated cases, robbery, mugging and extortions.
Explosion at Turkish explosives factory kills 12, injures 3; no sabotage suspected, according to CNN Turk.