Omicron BA.2 Variant Now Dominant Strain in US; Dept. of Health Awaits Samples to Confirm Presence in USVI

The BA.2 variant of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on Tuesday was confirmed as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in the United States, and the V.I. Dept. of Health as of Tuesday was awaiting test samples to confirm the variant's presence in the territory.

The Omicron BA.2 variant represented more than half of all cases in the U.S. as of Tuesday with a total of 55 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new Omicron variant, which appears to spread more easily than the original Omicron variant, has led to surges in Europe and the U.K., with England historically presaging Covid-19 outcomes in the United States.

According to the Wall Street Journal, research has suggested that BA.2 is similar to an earlier Omicron version when it comes to the risk of hospitalizations and developing severe disease. But research also indicates that BA.2 spreads more easily.