What do we know about the Omicron subvariant BA.2?

One of the first cases of the new Omicron subvariant BA.2 was first detected in Australia in December last year in a Queensland patient.

BA.2 is a sub-lineage, or sub variant, of the Omicron Coronavirus variant, and scientists are racing to assess the level of risk it presents Source: Getty

Highlights

• Omicron sub variant BA.2 is not considered a separate variant to the original Omicron, which is also known as BA.1, but rather within the same family.
• Scientists would call BA.2 a sub variant or sub-lineage. Other names that have been used by officials include sister variant or one person who dubbed it the "Son of Omicron".
• With about 20 or 30 odd cases of BA.2 in Australia, it overall represents a low proportion of the country's total COVID cases - just 0.3 per cent

Even as the Omicron wave appears to be receding in a number of Australian states and nations around the world, the emergence of a new sub variant in Australia has put health authorities on alert.

The BA.2 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant -- and scientists are racing to assess the level of risk it presents.

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Ano ang bantang dulot ng Omicron sub-variant BA.2?

SBS Filipino

02/02/202208:58

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