Omicron Subvariant 'Infrequently' Found In Ohio

OHIO — "Infrequent" cases of the omicron subvariant BA.2 have been detected in Ohio, the state health department confirmed this week.

The subvariant of omicron is known as BA.2, but is also called "stealth omicron" because its particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to detect on tests. Evidence suggests the subvariant could spread even more quickly than its infamous parent. So far, cases of BA.2 have been found in almost half of U.S. states.

This new subvariant is not considered a variant of concern, according to the World Health Organization. In countries such as Denmark, where it quickly became the dominant variant, health officials have not seen an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations or deaths.

The original omicron and delta are the two variants circulating the most in Ohio at the moment, according to the state's COVID dashboard, which breaks it down by variants. Data on the dashboard can lag by several weeks, an Ohio Department of Health spokesperson told Patch.

• Read more: 'Stealth Omicron' Subvariant Makes It To U.S.: What To Know

Here is a breakdown of which variants are causing COVID-19 in Ohio, according to the state's dashboard:

• Omicron — 87.6 percent of all cases
• Delta — 5.2 percent
• Other — 7.2 percent

An Ohio Department of Health spokesperson said the majority of omicron cases detected worldwide are BA.1, but BA.2 has been "infrequently detected in Ohio."

"Genomic sequencing, which looks at the genetic code of the virus, is conducted, when possible, for the purpose of better understanding trends and to see what the state is experiencing in terms of variant presence for the entire population," the spokesperson said.