A new, 'more transmissible' variant of Omicron, known as XBB.1.5 is rapidly spreading across the nation, with experts worried that it could create a surge of breakthrough infections and re-infections.
The new variant was first identified in November and has quickly spread across the nation, with experts concerned that infection rates could spike even further with the holiday travel season coming to an end. There are concerns of a surge in respiratory viruses following holiday gatherings. Dr. Dara Kass, the regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, joined Good Day New York to discuss the topic.
"#COVID19 variant #XBB.1.5 may be more transmissible than other variants, but we don’t know if it causes more severe disease," said the CDC in a tweet. "We’re closely watching this variant to see how well our vaccines & treatments are working against it." said that the variant appears to be highly immune evasive and is more effective at dodging protections from omicron boosters than other subvariants. , scientists said that XBB and its subvariants could "further compromise the efficacy of current COVID-19 vaccines and result in a surge of breakthrough infections as well as re-infections."
While COVID hospitalizations have risen 3.6% across the U.S. in recent weeks, hospitalizations in the northeast, have not seen any major increases. Nationwide, deaths have also remained fairly steady.
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