Brussels, Europe Brief News – Is BA.2 the new threat in America? The new COVID 19 variant has made its way to Europe, and cases surged with each passing day. Some good signs indicate that the new wave in the USA might not hit as hard as it is in Europe.
The Omicron variant BA.2 is 30% more transmissible than other variants. The COVID-19 cases are soaring again in most Western European countries. In the U.K., the cases have tripled in the past few weeks. New daily cases in Europe have been more than 70% since the beginning of March.
England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, has designed a long outline to combat the virus. Americans fear that they might be next because this new variant has been spreading in different parts of the world. There are some signs of hope that indicate that the virus might not be as bad as it is being feared in the USA.
New York
To figure out how Omicron BA.2 variant will affect the U.S., we can consider the virus cases in New York. The sub-variant appears to be one month behind the U.K. COVID’s recent U.K. cases show a clear pattern. BA.2 has been one of the country’s dominant strains since Feb. 20. The British government has lifted its COVID restrictions. One week later, the daily U.K. case rose. Since then, the cases have increased more than 200%.
Wastewater
The New York region is one of the places where the virus cases are surging. The viral RNA levels in the local sewage is a speedier way to track new variants. The molecular virologists have identified many other communities in the USA where the BA.2 is making its way.
BA.1.1
The shifting behavior of the BA.2 COVID variant has a lot to do with predicting the new wave. After a longer period of more serious social distancing and widespread shutdowns, the cases don’t seem to die down. The recent “full reopening” has triggered a new virus expansion. Mobility data revealed that British people are no longer follow any restrictions.
The U.S. is different. The liberal states and cities have lifted their mask mandates, and the country returned to “normal” way back. The changing behavior will make a difference in the United States as it made in Europe. The U.S. behavior has not changed much. The BA.2 virus will perhaps affect the U.S. curve in the coming weeks.
