Doctors keep an eye on omicron subvariant as it rears its head in NYC

Infectious disease experts are watching an omicron subvariant, BA.2, which, though it has not caused a considerable spike in cases, is circulating quickly in New York City just as virus-related safety measures are lifted.

The omicron variant offshoot has been on scientists’ radar since November, when it was discovered in South Africa. BA.2, also dubbed the “stealth omicron” strain due to a lack of certain genetic changes that make it distinguishable in PCR test results, has driven up cases in Denmark, India, and the United Kingdom in recent months. In New York, BA.2 is doubling in proportion statewide every two weeks. Wastewater surveillance in New York City also shows that BA.2 is finding a foothold there, Gothamist reported.