Just when COVID-19 infections were starting to fall in some areas of the country, spurring a hope that the pandemic was starting to fade, comes word of a new variant.
Scientists and health officials around the world are keeping their eyes on a new version of the Omicron variant that has been found in at least 40 countries, including the United States.
This version of the coronavirus, which scientists call BA.2, has been dubbed “Stealth Omicron.” That’s because genetic traits make it somewhat harder, or stealthier, to detect.
The original version of Omicron had specific genetic features that allowed health officials to rapidly differentiate it from the Delta variant using specific PCR tests.
BA.2 doesn't have this same genetic quirk. So on tests, BA.2 looks like Delta. Technicians must know what to look for.
“We know BA.2 has a lot of mutations on the spike proteins that studs the outside the virus,” said Dr. Barton Haynes, Director of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute. “About 20 of those mutations are shared with the original Omicron, but there are additional genetic changes that are unique to BA.2. What we don’t know is how significant those mutations are and whether this variant can evade vaccines better or cause more severe disease.”
It's a pattern in keeping with the predictably unpredictable nature of COVID-19.
“The movement from the original strain to alpha to delta to omicron basically was predictable because a virus’ sole purpose in life is to go forth and multiply and that means mutating to survive,” said Dr. Jonathan Quick, adjunct professor at the Duke Global Health Institute. “This is a continuing game of King of the Mountain. Omicron chased delta away because it was more contagious. As Darwin said, survival of the fittest, not necessarily the strongest.”
Researchers say the discovery of BA.2, and the questions surrounding the new mutation, are a reminder that COVID-2 is still around even if it evolves into a manageable endemic posture,” added Quick during a news briefing for reporters. “The virus is still dangerous, and people must remain, vigilant, safe and responsible.”
The increasing immunity in the population from vaccines and natural infection are protecting more and more people in this country and around the world. That’s the good news, but….
“We need to stay vigilant, keep our guard up, and continue using the safe and effective vaccines that we have,” said Lavanya Vasudevan, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and the Global Health Institute at Duke. “Our goals are two-fold: to prevent deaths and preserve life and to reduce the societal and economic impact of COVID-19. All the data that we have right now continue to point to vaccines right now as our most powerful and effective tool to suppress future waves of COVID-19 and more.”
“This added immunity from people recovering from omicron infections represents an opportunity for us. That’s an opportunity to continue using the safe and effective vaccines we have to suppress future waves of COVID-19 to progress towards more normal living.”