Now making up roughly a third of all new infections, the XBB.1.5 variant predominates in the Northeast. In the United States, the more transmissible XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant has taken over, prompting concerns about a possible increase in COVID-19 cases as it spreads.
Spreading Fast in Northeast
The subvariant is responsible for roughly 72% of infections in the Northeast, which has already spread quickly. All other parts of the United States have also been affected by the XBB.1.5, and officials anticipate it will keep spreading. Health experts have revealed some significant insights on the strain and what issues still need to be addressed despite the lack of data on XBB.1.5.
Officials have recently issued warnings that the strain is more contagious, more quickly overcomes the protection provided by vaccinations or prior infections than previous varieties, and is expected to increase the number of cases nationwide, a source posted.
No Evidence to Make People Sicker
Sam Scarpino said that the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 of the coronavirus is spreading quickly. At Northeastern University, Scarpino monitors and tracks new variants, and he found this variant worrying because it has displaced previous variants.
The good news is that there is currently no proof that the new coronavirus variation makes people sicker than previous coronavirus iterations. However, XBB.1.5 can circumvent immunity in part just as readily as anything that came before it.
No one anticipates that this winter will be like the first two terrifying pandemic winters. Still, the immunity people have through infection, and vaccination should prevent the majority from being ill.
Vaccination and a booster shot are the safest ways to protect yourself from the coronavirus. Other safety measures include avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated settings and seeing a doctor immediately if you become ill.
