First American News LLC, Raleigh NC: At least 40 countries, including Denmark, India and the U.K., have detected the variant
As newly reported cases of Covid-19 decline in parts of the U.S., researchers around the world are monitoring a new variant of the Omicron variant dubbed BA.2. The variant is under observation by countries including Denmark, India and the U.K., though little is still known about its properties and the threat it may pose.
Here’s what scientists and public-health experts know so far about the BA.2 variant:
More: Financial Times and the Economist Combo
What is the BA.2 variant of Covid-19?
The BA.2 variant of Covid-19 is a relation of the widely-spreading original Omicron variant known as BA.1, according to Theodora Hatziioannou, an associate professor of virology at Rockefeller University.
The two variants arose around the same time and come from the same ancestor strain. They have many mutations in common but there are also around 20 mutations that are different between the two variants. The differences between this variant and BA.1 can be seen in the spike protein of the virus, Dr. Hatziioannou said.
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