The Centre is keeping a constant vigil. It has asked states and UTs to ensure an adequate number of samples are submitted to the INSACOG network for detection in emerging Covid variants
An Omicron subvariant, known as BA.2, which appears to spread 30 percent more easily, has made up 3.9 percent of all infections, up from 1.6 percent in the week ending Jan. 29, fueling worries the country may not return to normal as planned. US Experts Warn Spread of More Contagious Omicron Sub-type BA.2 as Restrictions Lifted.
The Omicron subvariant, BA.2, is not only more transmissible than the original Omicron strain, BA.1, but may cause more severe disease, a lab study from Japan says.
Omicron is more transmissible than delta, the variant that became globally dominant in the middle of last year, and the new subvariant is especially infectious
Vaccines continue to provide similar protection against the different forms of Omicron, Dr. Boris Pavlin of the WHO's COVID-19 Response Team told an online briefing.