The first data on the gravity of BA.2, the sub-variant of Omicron, appear reassuring. The dangerousness would be similar to the classic Omicron variant, and would not generate more serious forms.
BA.2, a sub-variant of Omicron continues to spread across the world. It could already be the majority in France and in several European countries. New reassuring data has been published in recent days. It appears that this little brother of Omicron would be as much, or even less, likely to convey serious forms of the disease, as relayed The Parisian.
WHO already reassuring
In February 22 press release, the WHO indicated that the share of the BA.2 variant continues to grow, but that the overall circulation of all Covid variants is decreasing. The WHO recalls that several studies have shown that this new variant was more transmissible than the original strain of Omicron.
“This difference in transmissibility seems to be much lower than, for example, the difference between BA.1 and Delta”, however qualifies the organization. Regarding severity, the WHO does not note any difference between the BA.1 and BA.2 strain.
BA.1, BA.2: similar consequences?
A South African study published on February 19 suggests in particular that the risk of contracting a severe form of the disease is the same between the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variant. “Among those hospitalized, after controlling for factors associated with severe disease, the risk of severe disease was not different” between the two variants, the study concludes.
No major difference in contracting a severe form of the disease, these are also the conclusions of a study by thebritish health agency, published this Friday, February 25 and relayed by our colleagues from Parisian. The study estimates that the growth rate of BA.2 has increased in all provinces of England.
“No evidence of a greater risk of hospitalization”
“Preliminary analysis finds no evidence of a greater risk of hospitalization from BA.2 infection compared to BA.1. These are preliminary estimates and subject to change over time. as the data accumulates”, detail the scientists.
Even if these initial results are encouraging, they remain to be confirmed in the weeks and months to come. The eventual generalization of the BA.2 variant should shed more light on these consequences.