XBB. 1. 5, which is similar to Omicron, is ultimately the maximum transmissible variant. It is a branch of XBB, first detected in October, which in turn is composed of a mixture of two subvariants of Omicron.
COVID OMICRON SUBVARIANT XBB: WHY THE NUMBER OF CASES IS PROBABLY MUCH HIGHER THAN REPORTED
The World Health Organization (WHO) said earlier this week that XBB. 1. 5 could spur more COVID-19 cases based on genetic characteristics and early expansion rate estimates.
While it’s unclear whether XBB. 1. 5 can cause its own wave of global infections, experts say existing booster shots continue to oppose severe symptoms, hospitalization and death.
THE NEW COVID SUBVARIANT OMICRON XBB. 1. 5 IS “SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE” IN THE US. USA: HEALTH EXPERTS REVEAL WHY
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted last week that the subvariant is increasing globally and is known in more than 25 countries.
The accumulation in the new variant correlates with the accumulation of COVID-19 cases in the United States over the past six weeks.
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The higher prevalence of XBB. 1. 5 instances eclipsed Omicron’s BQ. 1. 1 and BQ. 1 subvariants, which were offshoots of BA. 5. The two strains in combination accounted for 44. 7% of instances in the U. S. The U. S. economy rose from 53. 2 percent a week ago, the CDC said.