The coronavirus version known as BA.2 is now dominant in at least 68 countries, including the United States.
FILE - Residents get their throat swab at a coronavirus testing site near residential buildings, Wednesday, April 6, 2022, in Beijing. An extra-contagious version of the omicron coronavirus variant has taken over the world. The variant scientists call BA.2 is now dominant in at least 68 countries, including the U.S. The World Health Organization says it makes up about 94% of sequenced omicron cases submitted in the most recent week to an international database.
Dr. Wesley Long, a pathologist at Houston Methodist in Texas, said he’s seen BA.2 quickly become dominant in his medical system. At the end of last week, the variant was responsible for more than three-quarters of cases in Houston Methodist hospitals. Less than two weeks earlier, 1% to 3% of cases were caused by BA.2.Ad
Vaccines appear equally effective against both types of omicron. For both, vaccination plus a booster offers strong protection against severe illness and death.Coronavirus cases rose in parts of Europe and Asia when BA.2 became dominant, and some scientists are concerned that the variant could also push up cases across the U.S.Besides being more contagious, it’s spreading at a time when governments are relaxing restrictions designed to control COVID-19.
As the coronavirus continues to evolve, the WHO is tracking other mutants, including hybrids known as “recombinants."
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