The CDC’s weekly data summary released recently shows that most COVID-19 indications throughout the country are on the increase after the holidays, with the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant spreading rapidly.
Variability in COVID-19 activity in the United States and other countries during the previous three weeks may be attributed to holiday-related effects such as reporting delays.
However, global health experts are still keeping a careful eye on XBB.1.5, which was initially detected in the eastern United States in October and is regarded to be the most transmissible subvariant thus far.
What is the XXB.1.5 variant of Covid-19?
Over 40 percent of all coronavirus infections in the US are caused by XXB.1.5, a sub-variant of the virus (2). The transmission R-value and infection rate of XXB.1.5 are much higher than prior variations, as shown by many models.
Scientists warn that it is still too early to tell what effect XBB.1.5 will have in the United States and worldwide.
Due to widespread protection from previous waves of COVID-19 and immunizations, especially recent boosters for persons most at risk of severe illness, the variation may not significantly increase infections or hospitalizations in many countries.
Researchers argue that careful lineage tracking is necessary whether or not XBB.1.5 results in significant COVID-19 waves. The subvariant has a highly unusual mutation that might increase its infectiousness and provide an opening for future evolutionary progress.
Descent from Omicron
XBB.1.5 evolved from a strain of SARS-CoV-2 known as XBB. That lineage is a cross between two branches of the BA.2 descendants, which started spreading in early 2022. BA.2 is a branch of Omicron. (3)
These changes in the XBB spike protein increase the variant’s capacity to avoid antibodies. This has contributed to the rapid spread of XBB over the last few months, especially in Asia, which has been responsible for an uptick in cases in Singapore.
What SARS-COV-2 variants induce COVID-19?
Viruses often mutate and adapt as they spread from person to person. When these mutations diverge noticeably from the parent virus, we refer to them as “variants.”
Scientists map the genetic material of viruses (a process known as sequencing) and then compare the resulting maps to seek discrepancies that could indicate that certain viruses have undergone evolutionarily significant changes.
Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19, have evolved and been detected in numerous countries due to the virus’s worldwide dissemination.
How does the Omicron variation vary from the others?
Each variety is unique. Given the high mutation rate of the Omicron variation, this strain of the virus may behave differently from others.
Till December 2021, not much was known about Omicron. Extensive research is being conducted to ascertain whether the virus’s ease of dissemination, illness severity, and efficacy of preventative measures have changed.
Time is needed to collect sufficient data to identify whether or not Omicron infection or reinfection results in more severe illness, how the variation reacts to available therapies, or whether or not transmission differs from other variants.
To assess the influence of Omicron on vaccination efficacy, the WHO is collaborating with technical partners. The Delta subtype is now the most common globally, but you may prevent yourself from severe disease and even death by being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Scientists will evaluate the efficacy of existing vaccinations against Omicron and disseminate their results as soon as they become available.
How can we prevent the emergence of new variants?
SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, will continue to mutate as long as it spreads, just like every other virus. The more the virus reproduces and applies, the more selection pressure it faces. Therefore, stopping the propagation of the virus is the most excellent approach to avoid the emergence of new versions.
To avoid spreading the COVID-19 virus:
● Separate yourself by at least 1 meter from other people.
● Cover your lips and nose with a snug mask.
● Activate vents
● Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the bend of your elbow.
● Maintain regular hand-washing routines.
● As soon as it is your time, get immunized.
US Stats
As of January 4th, the CDC has recorded an increase of 16.2% in the 7-day moving average of new daily cases, with 67,243 points recorded. (4)
New hospital admissions grew by 16.1% weekly, while fatalities increased by 8.3% within the same time frame. Similarly, the percentage of test-positive people has risen to 16%.
In addition, there was a 10.6% rise in places with a high risk of transmitting COVID-19.
Overall, 49 out of 52 jurisdictions were classified as high or medium-risk communities, necessitating precautions such as screening in high-risk situations and using high-quality masks or respirators in public indoor places.
Regarding SARS-CoV-2 detection rates in wastewater, the CDC reports that over 80% of locations throughout the nation are reporting moderate to high levels, with 58% recording their highest levels since December 2021.
Is Covid XXB harmful?
The spike protein in XXB has seven-point mutations. The immune system poorly recognizes the XXB Covid-19 variant. The variation can penetrate the body and create a severe infection without being stopped by the immune system.
They say XXB is the most infectious form of Covid, while others disagree. However, whether or not the virus produces severe sickness that requires hospitalization is still debatable.
Hospitalization may be necessary only in extreme circumstances, according to some specialists. However, everyone agrees that the elderly and those with comorbidities must take extra precautions and use masks.
Conclusion
The Omicron variant is still widely distributed worldwide and accounts for most sequences submitted to GISAID.
Even though Omicron sublineages exhibit a great deal of genetic variability, they all show comparable clinical results despite some disparities in immune escape capability.
The regional immunological landscape significantly affects the possible effect of these variations. There has been a rise in the prevalence of reinfections overall, although this trend is most noticeable among those with original infections caused by viruses other than Omicron.
It is possible that reinfection rates will increase as the immune response to the first wave of Omicron infection wanes and new Omicron variants emerge.
References
1. https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/from-our-experts/what-you-need-to-know-about-xbb-1-5-omicron-s-latest-variant
2. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/omicron-subvariant-xbb15-accounts-405-us-covid-cases-cdc-2022-12-30/
3. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.12.27.521986v1.full.pdf
4. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html