While the original strain of omicron It is done present in 171 countries and caused almost 22.1 million new infections in the last seven days globally, according to Worldometersthe site that collects statistics on the coronavirushealth authorities began to pay attention to a subtype of the variant that was found in at least 40 countries, and that registered this Monday its first case in Argentina, in a person from Uruguay.
According to the Danish Infectious Diseases Control Authority (SSI) in a statement, “the study shows that if one person in a household is infected with BA.2, there is an overall 39% risk of another family member being infected during the first week. In contrast, if the person is infected with BA.1, the risk is 29%.”
“Unvaccinated people may also be more likely to be infected by BA.2 relative to BA.1,” added Camilla Holten Møller, a doctor at SSI, quoted in the statement.
The study also shows that vaccinated people, and in particular those who received the booster dose, are less likely to be infected, he stressed.
Despite a record number of cases, the 43% increase in new infections registered in seven days, the Scandinavian country of 5.8 million inhabitants lifted all restrictions on Tuesdayarguing the strong coverage of vaccines and the less seriousness of the omicron variant.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA, for its acronym in English), reported that this subvariant, officially called BA.2, shows a “substantial growth” contagion compared to its parent strain, 126% higher each week.
