January 11 (UPI) – The World Health Organization has declared that the Omicron XBB. 1. 5. The COVID-19 variant, known for its antibody resistance, has no known mutations that cause more harm to other people than the other variants.
“Along with the BQ. 1 variants, the XBB variants are the most antibody-resistant variants to date,” the assessment states.
While the WHO has known some feature that makes XBB. 1. 5. More harmful to an already infected user, the organization noted that the variant appears to be more contagious than the others.
“Based on their genetic characteristics and estimates of the early expansion rate, XBB. 1. 5. may contribute to a higher incidence of cases,” the report said.
Variant XBB. 1. 5. La accounted for 2% of COVID-19 cases in the U. S. It rose sharply to 27. 6% in the first week of January, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.