omicron variant that has been found in more than 50 countries, including the United States.This version of the coronavirus, which scientists call BA.2, is widely considered stealthier than the original version of omicron because particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to detect.
Danish scientists reported this week that preliminary information suggests it may be 1½ times more contagious than the original variant.But scientists say there’s a lot they still don’t know about it, including whether it causes more severe disease.More than 18,000 genetic sequences of BA.2 have been uploaded to GISAID, a global platform for sharing coronavirus data, according to data collected by Scripps Research labs.
The strain has been detected in at least 54 countries and 24 U.S. states."Thus far, we haven’t seen it start to gain ground" in the U.S., said Dr.
Wesley Long, a pathologist at Houston Methodist in Texas, which identified three cases as of earlier this week.RELATED: New Omicron subvariant BA.2 detected in WashingtonThe mutant appears much more common in Asia and Europe.