Scientists say Omicron sub-lineage BA.1 replacing Delta variant

The much more lethal Delta variant of the coronavirus may be getting replaced by one of the siblings of the Omicron variant called BA.1, according to a Times of India report.

Scientists who are sequencing the positive samples have seen that the both the original Omicron variant, B.1.1.529, and a sub-lineage of Omicron, BA.1, are dominating the samples, the report stated.

“In some sequencing run of clinical samples, we get to see the presence of more BA.1 sub-lineage now than the original Omicron strain. Since the sub-lineage belongs to the same family, these samples are considered Omicron positive,” a senior scientist at the department of biotechnology told TOI.


India saw a single-day rise of 1,79,723 coronavirus infections, including 4,033 cases of the Omicron variant reported across 27 states and union territories so far.

The booster or what are called precautionary doses have started from today for healthcare workers along with frontline staff and those aged above 60 years.