NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A recent study out of Japan, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, looked at the stealth variant, BA.2 also known as sub omicron. It accounts for roughly 3 to 4% of cases in Connecticut right now.
“In this study, they found that at least in the lab that it looks like this subvariant is much more contagious even more than omicron. That has the potential to cause more severe disease, at least in hamsters,” Yale Medicine Dr. Jaimie Meyer said.
She says it also showed the potential to evade some of our immune responses and some treatments. Experts are keeping their eye on the genetics of this subvariant. Meyer explains that they are different than omicron so it could receive its own Greek letter as a variant.
Meyer weighs in a new CDC report that all eight Connecticut counties are now in the low green COVID category. Those metrics from looking at hospitalizations, capacity and Covid-19 cases.
The green designation means residents should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.
“I mean, I hear a collective sigh of relief in the state right now, right? Really great news,” Meyer said. “You know, I think that people can enjoy what hopefully a long and even maybe even longer to sort of relax some of the restrictions.”
The video below is from a previous newscast on March 4, 2022.
