Omicron 'stealth' subvariant BA.2 identified in Virginia: health officials

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - Health officials say the Omicron subvariant BA.2, has been identified in Fairfax County COVID-19 patients as well as in other areas across Virginia.

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The ‘stealth’ version of omicron is now estimated to be responsible for about one in three COVID-19 infections in the country and one in five COVID-19 infections in Virginia, health officials say.

Fairfax County health officials say that although the COVID-19 Community Level for the Fairfax Health District remains low, they anticipate the BA.2 subvariant will continue to increase.

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Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the share caused by BA.2 is up significantly. The CDC reported last week that the variant accounted for about 35% of new infections. In the Northeast, it was about half.

OMICRON SUBVARIANT BA.2: HEALTH OFFICIALS CALL IT 'VARIANT OF CONCERN'

BA.2 has lots of mutations and is harder to detect than the original version of omicron.

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in Fairfax County, call 703-324-7404.