New variant of Omicron is gutting Denmark

Now, an Omicron variant, BA.2, accounts for almost half of all
Danish Omicron-cases (https://bit.ly/3GcuTcw). So far, three
subvariants of Omicron have been described: BA.1, BA.2 and
BA.3. Worldwide, BA.1 account for most of Omicron-cases.
However, in Denmark BA.2 is gaining ground.
The subvariant BA.2 accounted for 20% of all covid-19-cases
in Denmark in week 52 increasing to approximately 45% in
week 2. During the same period, the relative frequency of BA.1
has dropped.
Other countries also experience an increase in BA.2 cases: E.g.
Great Britain, Norway and Sweden – but seemingly their increase
in numbers are so far not on the same level as in Denmark.
Different mutations
BA.1 and BA.2 have many differences in their mutations in the
most important areas. In fact, the difference between BA.1 and
BA.2 is greater than the difference between the original variant
and the Alpha variant.
Such differences can lead to different properties for instance
concerning infectiousness, vaccine efficiency or severity. So far,
there is no information as to whether BA.1 and BA.2 have different
properties, but Statens Serum Institut (SSI) is continually working
to investigate this matter.
Initial analysis shows no differences in hospitalisations for BA.2
compared to BA.1. Analyses regarding infectiousness and vaccine
efficiency etc. are ongoing, including attempts to cultivate BA.2 in
order to perform antibody neutralization studies. It is expected that
vaccines also have an effect against severe illness upon BA.2
infection.

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