COVID-19: US CDC tracks new variant, Which countries are under the radar? WHO says ‘Variant Under Monitoring’
Also read: Covid-19: India reports 44 fresh infections, active cases down at 1475 The World Health Organization also stated that they are currently monitoring three variants of interest and seven variants under monitoring. WHO further emphasised the ongoing need for improved surveillance, sequencing, and reporting of COVID-19, as the virus continues to circulate and undergo changes.
A preliminary analysis suggests that this new variant might exhibit a level of resistance to antibodies similar to or even greater than the XXB.1.5 variant compared to antibodies produced by pre-Omicron and initial Omicron variants. This assessment comes from Jesse Bloom, a virologist at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, as shared in a slide presentation published on August 17.
According to Bloom's slides, the likelihood is that BA.2.86 is less contagious than the existing dominant variants, hence it may not spread widely. However, more sequencing data is required to make a definitive determination.
Also read: India reports 21 new covid cases in a day Vaccines in the current COVID booster shots are designed to target the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. (With inputs from Reuters)
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