Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 may infect vaccinated people more
The infectious omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, city health authorities in New York are warning, may be more likely to infect those who have already been vaccinated against or infected with COVID-19.
A majority of COVID-19 cases in New York City have been traced back to the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, according to a tweet sent by the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Friday. Those who have been immunised against or previously exposed to COVID-19 may be at a higher risk of contracting “XBB.1.5,” the most contagious variant of the virus known at this time.
The government also stressed that getting vaccinated, and obtaining booster shots as needed, is still the greatest strategy to prevent hospitalisation and death from the virus, regardless of the strain.
XBB.1.5 is responsible for 43% of infections in the United States, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 30% of instances in the first week of January were attributable to the subvariant.
The XBB branch XBB.1.5 was discovered in the month of October.
This Monday, the World Health Organization issued a warning that, given its genetic traits and early growth rate projections, it might lead to a rise in the number of cases.
Researchers have warned that the virus will continue to adapt.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, said, “The more this virus circulates, the more chances it will have to change,”
She pointed out, “The more this virus circulates, the more chances it will have to change,”
Van Kerkhove said the FDA is working on a new risk assessment of the variation and plans to disclose it shortly, but that there is currently no evidence to establish that XBB.1.5 causes more severe illness.