Nine Omicron BA.2 sub-variant cases in Thailand to date, first case found on January 2

[webfact]

Photo: The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

 

The Department of Medical Sciences and a network of laboratories in Thailand have detected nine cases of the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron since the beginning of this month, by means of whole genome sequencing, according to Dr. Supakit Sirilak, the department’s director-general.

 

He said today (Tuesday) that Thailand’s first BA.2 sub-variant case was found on January 2nd and it was reported to GISAID, a global science initiative and primary source which provides open access to genomic data of influenza viruses and COVID-19.

 

So far, nine such cases have been found among both travellers from abroad and Thais, he said, adding that the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position.

 

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Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/first-omicron-ba-2-sub-variant-case-found-in-thailand-on-january-2/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-26

 

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[ThailandRyan]

And Omicrons baby brother has arrived.

[Kinnock]

Quick, shut the borders, close bars forever!

[Chelseafan]

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

Quick, shut the borders, close bars forever!

That was done months ago ! ????

 

[ThailandRyan]

24 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

That was done months ago ! ????

 

Need to check and see if BA.2 has a Tesy N Go QR code...

[riverhigh]

"He said, adding that the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position."

 

As soon he mentioned that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position my world became a lot clearer. A divine revealtion of what Covid19 is all about. Maybe, just maybe, the Doctor could give us some info as to whether this makes this variant a better spreader or potentillay do more harm than his brother. Just asking.

[JTXR]

Predictions that it would take 3-4 years for the Covid-19 pandemic to settle into an endemic state are turning out to be right. 

Once the vaccine-resistant have either gotten vaccinated, or been infected and either died or recovered, we'll reach a state where experts get together twice a year, look at all the variants circulating globally and make recommendations on the composition of the covid-19 vaccine for that year.  This is what now happens every year for flu vaccines.  Local experts like the good doctor at Chula will then go back to being ordinary scientists and teachers rather than bogus media stars.

[tomyami]

heard it gives you hecups  need 12 hour dayly curfew 4 this one staysafe everyone

[Millcx]

5555555 The world states con-Icrom is worst spreading variant but not overly harmful … And Thailand has 9 cases … Normal Breakfast spluttering joke … Corflakes everywhere 555555

[jacko45k]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

And Omicrons baby brother has arrived.

Well let us hope, and not El Niño following on from La Niña....

[Millcx]

4 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

And Omicrons baby brother has arrived.

Called Con-Icrom “;0)

[Millcx]

3 hours ago, Kinnock said:

Quick, shut the borders, close bars forever!

They have already done it 5555555

[billp]

Quote

4 hours ago, webfact said:

the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position.

 

Incredibly poor journalism not to explain the meaning and significance of this bit of jargon that was just thrown in. Usually, if you press them, scientists will explain in terms the general public can understand.

[Skeptic7]

This covid horse has been run out, worn out and beaten to death. Why keep beating it? ????

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

So far, nine such cases have been found among both travellers from abroad and Thais, he said, adding that the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position.

I usually spike t 69.

[Blumpie]

2 hours ago, riverhigh said:

"He said, adding that the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position."

 

As soon he mentioned that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position my world became a lot clearer. A divine revealtion of what Covid19 is all about. Maybe, just maybe, the Doctor could give us some info as to whether this makes this variant a better spreader or potentillay do more harm than his brother. Just asking.

Better spreader but is still recognized by a previous omicron infection so you have nothing to worry about.  This is in fact a brother or sister of omicron, it did not evolve from omicron, they evolved together.  Nobody is concerned about this.  

[Deez]

2 hours ago, riverhigh said:

"He said, adding that the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position."

 

As soon he mentioned that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position my world became a lot clearer. A divine revealtion of what Covid19 is all about. Maybe, just maybe, the Doctor could give us some info as to whether this makes this variant a better spreader or potentillay do more harm than his brother. Just asking.

Stop asking logical questions. Get your 20th shot, wear your mask and avoid alcohol after 11pm

[248900_1469958220]

Personally, I would give it 15 days to flatten the curve...

[Darkside Gray]

Got to have it Thailand every one else is getting it!

[Thai Visa Member 999999]

3 hours ago, riverhigh said:

"He said, adding that the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position."

 

As soon he mentioned that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position my world became a lot clearer. A divine revealtion of what Covid19 is all about. Maybe, just maybe, the Doctor could give us some info as to whether this makes this variant a better spreader or potentillay do more harm than his brother. Just asking.

How could he possibly know given the small number of samples collected? He's a scientist not the Oracle at Delphi.

[brewsterbudgen]

2 hours ago, Stargeezr said:

Hey,  Stargeezer, COVID 19 is not the flu, quit with the fake news.

Thanks

Did he say it was?  Most reports say that the symptoms of Omicron are "like flu". 

[sirineou]

3 hours ago, riverhigh said:

"He said, adding that the significant characteristic of BA.2 is that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position."

 

As soon he mentioned that there is no spike deletion at the 69-70 position my world became a lot clearer. A divine revealtion of what Covid19 is all about. Maybe, just maybe, the Doctor could give us some info as to whether this makes this variant a better spreader or potentillay do more harm than his brother. Just asking.

When I read the OP I thought of the same thing. 'What!! no spice deletion at the 60-70 position? we are scr*wed now" . 

[ozimoron]

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. Some scientists worry it could also be more contagious.

 

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-united-states-d09b3c6cc8b047c41d6cbf74043d0713

[Jeffr2]

1 hour ago, Skeptic7 said:

This covid horse has been run out, worn out and beaten to death. Why keep beating it? ????

Considering the chaos Omicron has caused, I'd say it's far from worn out.  Do the research on this new variant.  Who knows, but it could be <deleted>.  It's taking off in Europe now.

[Jeffr2]

https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/01/21/stealth-omicron-is-subvariant-ba-2-a-more-transmissable-strain-of-covid-and-should-we-be-w

 

Quote

 

Given the speed at which it is outpacing other Omicron subvariants, it is sparking fears that a more transmissible strain of coronavirus is actively spreading through the community.

 

"This sub-lineage, which was designated by Pangolin on 6 December 2021, does not have the spike gene deletion at 69-70 that causes S-gene target failure (SGTF), which has previously been used as a proxy to detect cases of Omicron. UKHSA are continuing to monitor data on the BA.2 sub-lineage closely".

 

In Denmark, it now makes up almost half of all Omicron cases. Other countries such as the UK, Norway and Sweden are also experiencing an increase in BA.2 cases, although not to the same extent.

 

 

[Capella]

Omicron is just like a common cold. I've had it, and so have lots of people I know. 

 

The media doesn't want the crisis to end, for obvious reasons. 

 

It's time to put covid behind us and get back to living our lives. 

[Jeffr2]

16 minutes ago, Capella said:

Omicron is just like a common cold. I've had it, and so have lots of people I know. 

 

The media doesn't want the crisis to end, for obvious reasons. 

 

It's time to put covid behind us and get back to living our lives. 

Right.  That's why the entire world is shut down.  Airlines canceling flights, food deliveries can't be made, etc.  Hardly mild.  And nothing to do with the media.

[DefaultName]

1 hour ago, ozimoron said:

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. Some scientists worry it could also be more contagious.

 

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-united-states-d09b3c6cc8b047c41d6cbf74043d0713

Contagious is fine, if it's also harmless.  We don't seem to know yet if it's harmless, a bit of a cold, or lethal.

[ThailandRyan]

50 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Right.  That's why the entire world is shut down.  Airlines canceling flights, food deliveries can't be made, etc.  Hardly mild.  And nothing to do with the media.

Hospitals in Riverside County here in California have just shut access to all visitors of patients.  My mother was admitted today because of a heart attack. Family can not visit now. All because of COVID-19 overload

[Jeffr2]

6 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Hospitals in Riverside County here in California have just shut access to all visitors of patients.  My mother was admitted today because of a heart attack. Family can not visit now. All because of COVID-19 overload

Last week, a friend had a problem and we needed to get him to the hospital fast.  We called the 4 big hospitals in Bangkok, all full.  We called a few in Sri Racha.  Full.  Bangkok Pattaya had room, but he needed to be in Bangkok with a specialist.  So, they stabilized him there and an ambulance took him to Bumrungrad when a bed opened up.

 

Mild by bum....this guy could have died.  And didn't have covid.