COVID-19 Subvariant Less Severe, But Could Prolong The End Of Omicron Peak In WI

WISCONSIN — A subvariant of the omicron coronavirus variant called BA.2 has been found in Wisconsin, data from the University of Wisconsin - Madison's Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene showed.

The incoming subvariant is one-and-a-half times more transmissible than the original omicron variant, but cases seem less severe, Milwaukee's chief medical advisor Dr. Ben Weston said in a statement. Still, the introduction of the new subvariant could cause the current downtrend of statewide COVID-19 cases to drag on for longer.

The new subvariant isn't considered a variant of concern by the World Health Organization. Scientists in Denmark found that there were no differences in hospitalizations with BA.2 than the original omicron variant, The Associated Press reported.

See Also: 'Stealth Omicron' Subvariant Makes It To U.S.: What To Know

The omicron variant still reigns with the most infections in Wisconsin, state lab data showed. The BA.2 subvariant was detected in 30 U.S. states and 57 countries, but made up less than a percent of cases, data from Outbreak.info showed.

COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin appear to be trending down: The number of people newly infected with COVID-19 was 2,491 on Sunday, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The number of people in the hospital with COVID-19-related issues was 1,579 on Monday, data from the Wisconsin Hospital Association showed.

Health experts agree that getting vaccinated and a booster shot when eligible are the No. 1 tools for fighting the spread and severe effects of COVID-19.