snoop1130 23033 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 BANGKOK (NNT) - Scientists around the world are paying close attention to the development of a new subvariant from the Omicron variant of concern, officially named BA.2. Cases from this subvariant have increased in several countries around the world, with 9 BA.2 cases detected in Thailand so far. The Omicron BA.2 subtype of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is now gaining attention from the scientific community around the world, as it has the potential to replace the original Omicron variant as the dominant strain in the next phase of the pandemic. So far, around 8,400 cases of COVID-19 around the world have been identified as BA.2 infections, with this new subvariant nicknamed the stealth variant, as it is more difficult to discern this subvariant from others using the PCR method. Despite the growing number of cases, there is still insufficient data to suggest whether this subvariant would be more transmissible than Omicron. Nine cases of BA.2 infections have so far been discovered in Thailand, with the first case reported on 2 January. Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak said the BA.2 subtype differs from the BA.1 and BA.3 sublineages of Omicron due to the lack of spike deletions 69-70, which are mutations on the virus’ spike protein. Dr. Supakit said the DMS will continue monitoring the development of these three subvariants, while data from current monitoring shows no difference between BA.1 and BA.2 subtypes in terms of transmissibility, disease severity, and immune escape. -- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-26 - Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KhunLA 4578 Posted January 26 Popular Post Share Posted January 26 (edited) OMG ... not the BA 2 Edited January 26 by KhunLA 5 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
realfunster 2853 Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 12 minutes ago, KhunLA said: OMG ... not the BA 2 I know, I think we are all suffering from pandemic fatigue at this point. Very early data from the UK suggests BA2 may be more transmissible than BA1 and with the same medical prognosis, typically mild but with the odd outlier. Grudgingly, I will admit it’s worth keeping an eye on it, as if it is actually more transmissible, it still has some potential to put pressure on healthcare systems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldera 7641 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 Oh look, another variant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pique Dard 864 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 will there never be an end to variants? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimamey 2752 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 18 minutes ago, Pique Dard said: will there never be an end to variants? Possibly not. Flu is slightly different I think but that changes every year so the vaccine has to change as well. Covid may die out but I think for the moment we just have to take as many simple precautions as possible, such as using masks in enclosed busy places to enable the economy and peoples lives to continue as close to normal as possible. In the meantime hopefully the vaccines and other treatments will improve. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangon04 2784 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 "data from current monitoring shows no difference between BA.1 and BA.2 subtypes in terms of transmissibility, disease severity, and immune escape." but let us have a media frenzy about it anyway, because it sells newspapers...... 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchit 30 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 1 hour ago, Pique Dard said: will there never be an end to variants? No, just the same as with flu and like with flu we learn to live with it 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hammer2021 6234 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 2 hours ago, Pique Dard said: will there never be an end to variants? The issue is that now we are being made aware of variations by obsessive media press coverage..It's all getting very silly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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