Omicron subvariant BA.2 dominates northeastern region of US

The Omicron subvariant BA.2 is quickly spreading in the US, especially in the country's northeastern region. In these places, including New York, the number of Covid-19 cases has increased from the recent low count. However, the rate of transmission is not severe as of now. Currently, the US is reporting fewer Covid-19 cases than earlier this year, and the hospitalisation rate is also low.

The increase was recorded from some wastewater-sampling sites used to determine the transmission rate of the virus. Notably, the sites located in the Northeast showed a higher transmission rate. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that seven out of ten states with the most number of BA.2 cases are in the Northeast.

According to the CDC estimates, the Omicron subvariant BA.2 accounted for about 72% of the Covid-19 national cases by the week ending April 2. The share of the subvariant-caused Covid-19 was as high as 84% in New England and some parts, including New York and New Jersey.


Although the recent Covid-19 surge, caused due to the Omicron subvariant BA.2 variant, has prompted health officials to stop more viral transmission, they hope that built-up immunity and warming weather will mitigate the variant's impact. A professor at the City University of New York School of Public Health, Bruce Y. Lee, believes that the current situation is less severe than that of November and December due to "some big factors."

The health officials say that the subvariant BA.2 spreads more quickly than the previous Omicron variant. However, according to them, it does not seem to be more severe. Moreover, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky stated that a high level of immunity from vaccines and previous infections would also provide some protection against the subvariant.

The Omicron subvariant BA.2 cases began to rise in the US late last year, causing a record surge in the Covid-19 cases recently. Meanwhile, the BA.2 variant has hit Europe as well.