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Omicron Sub-variant BA.2 Is Likely To Have Same Severity As “Original” Says WHO

Feb 04, 2022

Don’t be complacent, guys, we’re all in this together if we want to stop the spread of the COVID-19 infection!

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday (February 1st) said that the BA.2 form of the Omicron variant would seem to have the same severity as the original BA.1.

Photo via Taiwan News

According to Reuters, Dr. Boris Pavlin of the WHO’s COVID-19 Response Team tld an online briefing that vaccines also continue to provide similar protection against the different forms of Omicron.

The comments come as the BA.2 subvariant begins to replace Omicron’s most common “original” BA.1 subvariant in countries such as Denmark. 

Based on data from Denmark, the first country where BA.2 overtook BA.1, there appears to be no difference in disease severity, although BA.2 has the potential to replace BA. 1 globally. 

“Looking at other countries where BA. 2 is now overtaking, we’re not seeing any higher bumps in hospitalization than expected,” he said.

BA.2 is more transmissible than the more common BA.1 and more able to infect vaccinated people, according to a Danish study which analyzed COVID-19 infections in more than 8,500 households between December and January.

The subvariant is already becoming dominant in the Philippines, Nepal, Qatar, India and Denmark.

He added: “Vaccination is profoundly protective against severe disease, including for Omicron. BA.2 is rapidly replacing BA. 1. It’s impact is unlikely to be substantial, although more data is needed.” 

We’re still in a pandemic, guys! Get yourself vaccinated and remember to wear your face mask, clean your hands regularly and maintain physical distancing!

By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat