Why virologists are closely watching Omicron sub-variant BA.2 and what it means for the pandemic
Scientists are keeping their eyes on a descendant of the Omicron variant that has been found in at least 40 countries and is considered stealthier than the original version.
Data is scarce at this point. But there are indications that BA.2 is not more virulent than the original Omicron variant, prompting experts to caution against sounding the alarm. However, some suggest that this sub-variant could be more transmissible. While BA.1 and BA.2 have several mutations in common, they are some 20 mutations apart, according to experts. BA.2 has some genetic traits that make it indistinguishable from other variants in certain PCR tests. This is where it differs from BA.1. And because of this, BA.2 has been termed the "stealth variant" — meaning it's harder to detect.
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