The omicron subvariant BA.2 is continuing to gain ground in the U.S., according to Covid-19 tests sequenced over the last two weeks.
Helix, a San Diego-based genomics firm, has been watching the BA.2 variant since it first popped up in the U.S. in early January. Although it was initially slow to take hold, Helix now estimates that 50% to 70% of all Covid cases nationwide are BA.2.
Will Lee, Helix’s chief science officer, said this type of surveillance is essential and can help arm the U.S. health care system against future variants.
Data from the U.K. – where BA.2 has already caused cases to spike – show the country’s rise in infections began around the same time that BA.2 surpassed the 50% mark of overall cases. So far, the variant appears to be no more severe than the initial omicron strain, but there’s concern about its ability to reinfect people and its links to long Covid.
Cases are still dropping overall in the U.S., but some health experts are worried that decline won’t last for long. Already, cases are beginning to climb in New York City, where BA.2 accounts for a larger share of cases than in other parts of the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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