Even after causing havoc for last two years, coronavirus seems to have been refusing to die down. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Currently, different parts of the world have been witnessing a surge in the number of cases due to the spread of a sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of coronavirus. &nbsp;

The sub-variant is called BA.2. It is now dominant worldwide. &nbsp;

What is the BA.2 variant? &nbsp;

Amid the surge in Omicron cases, British health officials had earlier detected growing cases of BA.2 variant. In total, Omicron has three sub-strains - BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/different-variants-may-cause-different-long-covid-19-symptoms-says-study-466250" hreflang="en">Different variants may cause different long COVID-19 symptoms, says study</a>

As it is slightly harder to track, BA.2 is also called the "stealth variant". &nbsp;BA.1 is tracked through a common PCR test by default due to a missing gene. While BA.2 and another sibling, BA.3 can be found only by genomic sequencing. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Should you be concerned? &nbsp;

According to the World Health Organization, BA.2 now represents around 86% of all sequenced cases. It is more transmissible than other sub-variants, like BA.1 and BA.1.1. But the evidence so far suggests that it is less likely to cause severe infection. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Shanghai tightens COVID lockdown: Curbs imposed on highway traffic

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Vaccines are also less effective against BA.2. As per UK Health Security Agency data, protection gets restored by a booster jab, particularly for preventing hospitalisation and death.&nbsp;&nbsp;

BA.2 has led to surges in China and European countries like Germany and the UK. It is also raising concern over the potential for a new wave in the United States.

Can it&nbsp;re-infect people?

As a&nbsp;number of countries are experiencing "double peaks" in infection rates simultaneously,&nbsp;a key concern about BA.2 is that whether it could re-infect people who had already had BA.1.

But data from both the UK and Denmark show&nbsp;that while Omicron can reinfect people, who had other variants, like Delta, only a handful of BA.2 reinfections in people, who earlier had BA.1 have been found so far.&nbsp;

According to the&nbsp;scientists, a explanation for the recent spike in BA.2 cases could be the global uptick happened at the same time in many countries after lifting of public health interventions.

"In some ways, it could just be that BA.2 was the variant that was circulating when all these people stopped wearing masks," said Dr Andrew Pekosz, virologist, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

Other US&nbsp;experts, such as Eric Topol, director, Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California, said it was "a little too early" to call whether the US&nbsp;too would see a significant BA.2 wave.

"It is still a huge public health problem and it is going to continue to be," said Mark Woolhouse, epidemiologist, the University of Edinburgh.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Even after causing havoc for last two years, coronavirus seems to have been refusing to die down. Currently, different parts of the world have been witnessing a surge in the number of cases due to the spread of a sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of coronavirus.

Even after causing havoc for last two years, coronavirus seems to have been refusing to die down. Currently, different parts of the world have been witnessing a surge in the number of cases due to the spread of a sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of coronavirus. The sub-variant is called BA.2. It is now dominant worldwide. What is the BA.2 variant? Amid the surge in Omicron cases, British health officials had earlier detected growing cases of BA.2 variant. In total, Omicron has three sub-strains - BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3. Also Read: Different variants may cause different long COVID-19 symptoms, says study As it is slightly harder to track, BA.2 is also called the "stealth variant". BA.1 is tracked through a common PCR test by default due to a missing gene. While BA.2 and another sibling, BA.3 can be found only by genomic sequencing. Should you be concerned? According to the World Health Organization, BA.2 now represents around 86% of all sequenced cases. It is more transmissible than other sub-variants, like BA.1 and BA.1.1. But the evidence so far suggests that it is less likely to cause severe infection. Watch: Shanghai tightens COVID lockdown: Curbs imposed on highway traffic × Vaccines are also less effective against BA.2. As per UK Health Security Agency data, protection gets restored by a booster jab, particularly for preventing hospitalisation and death. BA.2 has led to surges in China and European countries like Germany and the UK. It is also raising concern over the potential for a new wave in the United States. Can it re-infect people? As a number of countries are experiencing "double peaks" in infection rates simultaneously, a key concern about BA.2 is that whether it could re-infect people who had already had BA.1. But data from both the UK and Denmark show that while Omicron can reinfect people, who had other variants, like Delta, only a handful of BA.2 reinfections in people, who earlier had BA.1 have been found so far. According to the scientists, a explanation for the recent spike in BA.2 cases could be the global uptick happened at the same time in many countries after lifting of public health interventions. "In some ways, it could just be that BA.2 was the variant that was circulating when all these people stopped wearing masks," said Dr Andrew Pekosz, virologist, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. Other US experts, such as Eric Topol, director, Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California, said it was "a little too early" to call whether the US too would see a significant BA.2 wave. "It is still a huge public health problem and it is going to continue to be," said Mark Woolhouse, epidemiologist, the University of Edinburgh. (With inputs from agencies)

'Stealth Omicron': BA.2 is now globally dominant Covid variant

As China grapples with a new virus wave, authorities say the recent outbreak is being&nbsp;driven by the highly contagious "stealth Omicron" or the B.A.2 lineage of the Omicron variant.

Zhang Wenhong who is an infectious disease expert with Shanghai's Fudan University said that infection is still in its early stages as Shanghai recorded 41 new coronavirus cases on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-is-the-new-stealth-omicron-447976">Also Read |&nbsp;Explainer: What is the new 'stealth Omicron'?</a>

Reports claim the B.A.2 sub-variant spreads faster than the original Omicron variant. Wenhong informed that although the death count may be low but it still puts pressure on medical resources.

On Tuesday, the country reported 5,280 new COVID-19 cases with the northeastern Jilin city being the worst hit. Reports said the Jilin accounted for over 3,000 coronavirus cases. The Volkswagen factories in the Jilin was closed amid the outbreak.&nbsp;

Authorities in Jilin banned citizens from travelling in and out of the area without notifying local police. In Shanghai, the authorities have undertaken mass testing and reportedly cordoned off individual apartment buildings.&nbsp;On Monday, residents in Shenzhen spend their first day under lockdown as restrictions spread to other major cities battling the virus.

Watch: &nbsp;China's latest virus outbreak: 10 Chinese cities under lockdown

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The country reported over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours with several cities on lockdown including Shenzhen even as authorities follow China's strict "zero Covid" strategy.

The authorities moved to cancel several domestic flights in Beijing and Shanghai. China has witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases since last September due to the Delta variant as it locked down&nbsp;several towns, however, after South African authorities declared the presence of Omicron variant in November last year, the new variant has led to increased infection cases in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-5280-daily-covid-cases-highest-tally-since-the-pandemic-started-two-years-ago-462347">Also Read:&nbsp;China reports highest tally since the pandemic started two years ago</a>

China had reported the first case of the virus to the World Health Organisation on December 31, 2019, after it was detected in Wuhan since then over 6 million people have died due to the virus even as the WHO warned the figure could be two or three times higher.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As China grapples with a new virus wave, authorities say the recent outbreak is being driven by the highly contagious "stealth Omicron" or the B.A.2 lineage of the Omicron variant.

As China grapples with a new virus wave, authorities say the recent outbreak is being driven by the highly contagious "stealth Omicron" or the B.A.2 lineage of the Omicron variant. Zhang Wenhong who is an infectious disease expert with Shanghai's Fudan University said that infection is still in its early stages as Shanghai recorded 41 new coronavirus cases on Monday. Also Read | Explainer: What is the new 'stealth Omicron'? Reports claim the B.A.2 sub-variant spreads faster than the original Omicron variant. Wenhong informed that although the death count may be low but it still puts pressure on medical resources. On Tuesday, the country reported 5,280 new COVID-19 cases with the northeastern Jilin city being the worst hit. Reports said the Jilin accounted for over 3,000 coronavirus cases. The Volkswagen factories in the Jilin was closed amid the outbreak. Authorities in Jilin banned citizens from travelling in and out of the area without notifying local police. In Shanghai, the authorities have undertaken mass testing and reportedly cordoned off individual apartment buildings. On Monday, residents in Shenzhen spend their first day under lockdown as restrictions spread to other major cities battling the virus. Watch: China's latest virus outbreak: 10 Chinese cities under lockdown The country reported over 1,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours with several cities on lockdown including Shenzhen even as authorities follow China's strict "zero Covid" strategy. The authorities moved to cancel several domestic flights in Beijing and Shanghai. China has witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases since last September due to the Delta variant as it locked down several towns, however, after South African authorities declared the presence of Omicron variant in November last year, the new variant has led to increased infection cases in the country. Also Read: China reports highest tally since the pandemic started two years ago China had reported the first case of the virus to the World Health Organisation on December 31, 2019, after it was detected in Wuhan since then over 6 million people have died due to the virus even as the WHO warned the figure could be two or three times higher. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Stealth Omicron' behind China's virus outbreak, says expert

In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021.&nbsp;

The rise in cases triggered by the outbreaks in Shanghai to Shenzhen could be due to the fast-spreading variant commonly known as "stealth omicron".&nbsp;

The country's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday that Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shenzhen-city-begins-lockdown-amid-virus-surge-in-china-462106">Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China</a>

As per the Reuters report, the total this year so far is more than 9,000 and in 2021, the total number of cases was 8,378.&nbsp;

New cases have been reported in the past few weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast.&nbsp;

An increase in cases in one country leads to a rise in the number of Covid infections in other parts of the world. But the question here is, should the world be wary?&nbsp;

It is important to note that the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world. However, the surge has activated China's dynamic zero Covid policy.&nbsp;

As per the nation's zero Covid policy, infections are supposed to be quickly identified and eventually contained. It appears that the country is looking forward to taking some strict measures.&nbsp;

In the latest development, Shanghai has closed schools, parks, cinemas and suspended some long-distance travel amid a resurgence of cases across the financial hub.&nbsp;

On Friday (March 11), the Shanghai authorities announced the closure of all schools except some university-level classes from Monday. Long-distance intercity bus services were also suspended on Monday.&nbsp;

As quoted by Reuters, a 34-year-old Shanghai resident Loyd Ge said residents&nbsp;weren't panicking but were preparing for a complete lockdown.&nbsp;

Ge said, "The long-distance bus station has been closed. A (COVID-19) nucleic acid test is required when travelling to other provinces."

"With these counter-measures, we’ve still run into a new outbreak in Shanghai, which shows that the control measures will be further strengthened. So we should be prepared for a city-wide lockdown as well," the resident added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-deltacron-variant-is-rare-and-similar-to-omicron-experts-say-462149">New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say</a>

As quoted by news agency AP, Zhang Wenhong, who is a&nbsp;prominent infectious disease expert at a hospital affiliated with Shanghai's Fudan University noted in an essay for China's business outlet Caixin&nbsp;on Monday (March 14) that&nbsp;the numbers for the mainland were still in the beginning stages of an "exponential rise".&nbsp;

Shanghai confirmed 41 new cases on Monday and Zhang noted that much of the current outbreak is being driven by the variant commonly known as "stealth omicron," or the B.A.2 lineage of the omicron variant.

Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron, which itself spread faster than the original virus and other variants.&nbsp;

Zhang wrote on Monday, "But if our country opens up quickly now, it will cause a large number of infections in people in a short period of time."&nbsp;

"No matter how low the death rate is, it will still cause a run on medical resources and a short term shock to social life, causing irreparable harm to families and society,"&nbsp;Zhang added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;China locks down tech hub Shenzen; Curbs imposed in Shanghai,other major cities

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(With inputs from agencies)

In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021.

In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021. The rise in cases triggered by the outbreaks in Shanghai to Shenzhen could be due to the fast-spreading variant commonly known as "stealth omicron". The country's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday that Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13. ALSO READ | Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China As per the Reuters report, the total this year so far is more than 9,000 and in 2021, the total number of cases was 8,378. New cases have been reported in the past few weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast. An increase in cases in one country leads to a rise in the number of Covid infections in other parts of the world. But the question here is, should the world be wary? It is important to note that the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world. However, the surge has activated China's dynamic zero Covid policy. As per the nation's zero Covid policy, infections are supposed to be quickly identified and eventually contained. It appears that the country is looking forward to taking some strict measures. In the latest development, Shanghai has closed schools, parks, cinemas and suspended some long-distance travel amid a resurgence of cases across the financial hub. On Friday (March 11), the Shanghai authorities announced the closure of all schools except some university-level classes from Monday. Long-distance intercity bus services were also suspended on Monday. As quoted by Reuters, a 34-year-old Shanghai resident Loyd Ge said residents weren't panicking but were preparing for a complete lockdown. Ge said, "The long-distance bus station has been closed. A (COVID-19) nucleic acid test is required when travelling to other provinces." "With these counter-measures, we’ve still run into a new outbreak in Shanghai, which shows that the control measures will be further strengthened. So we should be prepared for a city-wide lockdown as well," the resident added. ALSO READ | New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say As quoted by news agency AP, Zhang Wenhong, who is a prominent infectious disease expert at a hospital affiliated with Shanghai's Fudan University noted in an essay for China's business outlet Caixin on Monday (March 14) that the numbers for the mainland were still in the beginning stages of an "exponential rise". Shanghai confirmed 41 new cases on Monday and Zhang noted that much of the current outbreak is being driven by the variant commonly known as "stealth omicron," or the B.A.2 lineage of the omicron variant. Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron, which itself spread faster than the original virus and other variants. Zhang wrote on Monday, "But if our country opens up quickly now, it will cause a large number of infections in people in a short period of time." "No matter how low the death rate is, it will still cause a run on medical resources and a short term shock to social life, causing irreparable harm to families and society," Zhang added. WATCH | China locks down tech hub Shenzen; Curbs imposed in Shanghai,other major cities × (With inputs from agencies)

China sees multiple COVID-19 outbreaks driven by 'stealth omicron'. Should the world be wary?

As the Omicron&nbsp;sub-variant known as BA.2 spreads worldwide, scientists have warned that the new subvariant is 1.5 time more transmissible than the original Omicron strain.

The Omicron variant BA.2 also known as a "stealth Omicron" has surged in UK and Denmark. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the &nbsp;BA.2 has increased in "proportion" to the original Omicron strain even as the US reported 127 new BA.2 cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wuhan-is-back-in-news-with-revelation-on-neocov-check-out-what-who-has-to-say-448471">Also Read:&nbsp;Wuhan is back in news with revelation on NeoCov. Check out what WHO has to say</a>

According to Denmark's Statens Serum Institute, the new sublineage is 1.5 times more transmissible than the original Omicron strain also known as BA.1.

CDC has however asserted that there is no evidence that BA.2 is more severe than the BA.1 lineage.

Reports claim the BA.2 has overtaken the BA.1 subvariant in Denmark, although early assessment by scientists showed the effectiveness of the vaccine does not decrease in BA.2. According to the CDC, 67 per cent of people are fully vaccinated against the virus in the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-mu-delta-ihu-to-neocov-here-is-a-list-of-the-many-variants-of-coronavirus-448422">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;From Mu, Delta, IHU to NeoCov, here is a list of the many variants of coronavirus</a>

Denmark on Friday reported 50,000 new coronavirus cases amid a marginal rise in hospitalisations cases with vaccinations levels at over 80 per cent in the country including a sizeable number of booster shots already administered to citizens. &nbsp;

The World Health Organisation(WHO) hasn't declared BA.2 as a "variant of concern" but the health body said it is monitoring the situation as it spreads worldwide.

The United States is the worst-hit country due to the virus with over&nbsp;880,270 fatalities and over 74 million cases since the pandemic took hold in the country in March 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-what-is-the-new-stealth-omicron-447976">Also Read |&nbsp;Explainer: What is the new 'stealth Omicron'?</a>

Last year in September COVID-19 cases began to surge in the United Stated due to the Delta variant amid large scale vaccination efforts.

However, after South Africa announced it had discovered a new variant Omicron in late November,&nbsp;the new&nbsp;variant cases began to spread rapidly in the US leading to the new imposition of new curbs.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

As the Omicron sub-variant known as BA.2 spreads worldwide, scientists have warned that the new subvariant is 1.5 time more transmissible than the original Omicron strain.

As the Omicron sub-variant known as BA.2 spreads worldwide, scientists have warned that the new subvariant is 1.5 time more transmissible than the original Omicron strain. The Omicron variant BA.2 also known as a "stealth Omicron" has surged in UK and Denmark. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the BA.2 has increased in "proportion" to the original Omicron strain even as the US reported 127 new BA.2 cases. Also Read: Wuhan is back in news with revelation on NeoCov. Check out what WHO has to say According to Denmark's Statens Serum Institute, the new sublineage is 1.5 times more transmissible than the original Omicron strain also known as BA.1. CDC has however asserted that there is no evidence that BA.2 is more severe than the BA.1 lineage. Reports claim the BA.2 has overtaken the BA.1 subvariant in Denmark, although early assessment by scientists showed the effectiveness of the vaccine does not decrease in BA.2. According to the CDC, 67 per cent of people are fully vaccinated against the virus in the United States. Also Read in Pics: From Mu, Delta, IHU to NeoCov, here is a list of the many variants of coronavirus Denmark on Friday reported 50,000 new coronavirus cases amid a marginal rise in hospitalisations cases with vaccinations levels at over 80 per cent in the country including a sizeable number of booster shots already administered to citizens. The World Health Organisation(WHO) hasn't declared BA.2 as a "variant of concern" but the health body said it is monitoring the situation as it spreads worldwide. The United States is the worst-hit country due to the virus with over 880,270 fatalities and over 74 million cases since the pandemic took hold in the country in March 2020. Also Read | Explainer: What is the new 'stealth Omicron'? Last year in September COVID-19 cases began to surge in the United Stated due to the Delta variant amid large scale vaccination efforts. However, after South Africa announced it had discovered a new variant Omicron in late November, the new variant cases began to spread rapidly in the US leading to the new imposition of new curbs. (With inputs from Agencies)

BA.2 subvariant more transmissible than original Omicron: Scientists

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