More Transmissible Omicron Sub-Variant Detected In Delhi

New Delhi: Amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and positivity rate, or cases per 100 tests, in the national capital, a new sub-variant of the coronavirus strain Omicron has been detected in samples sent for genome sequencing in Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. The Omicron sub-variant BA 2.75 has been detected in many samples, LNJP Hospital Medical Director Dr Suresh Kumar told NDTV.

The number of people getting admitted to the hospital is also rising, the Medical Director said, adding this Omicron variant is spreading faster and likely escaping immunity from previous infection and vaccination.

“Omicron’s sub-variant BA 2.75 has been found in the report. It has more transmission rate. This has emerged in the study report of 90 samples sent for genome sequencing. This new sub-variant also attacks people already having antibodies and also those who have taken vaccines,” Dr Kumar said, news agency PTI reported.

The severity of the infection in new cases, however, is lower. However, the elderly and those with co-morbidities are at risk.