A subvariant of omicron “stealth” BA.2 – a distant, highly mutated cousin of the now dominant strain of omicron coronavirus – is now hiding in the noses of 47 states. And new laboratory studies show that it is 30-50% more contagious than omicron. The CDC estimates BA.2 caused 4% of U.S. COVID-19 infections last week and 6% in the New Jersey / New York region.
BA.2 causes deep uncertainty among virus experts in a country that, after two years of restrictions, is tired of COVID-19, ready to give up masks and simply coexist with the coronavirus. “We are still at the beginning of understanding what BA.2 will be like,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Christina Tan.
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