66 cases have been identified in the province so far and experts fear it is more transmissible than the original strain.
A new sub-lineage of the Omicron coronavirus variant is spreading across Europe at a concerning rate and 66 cases have been identified so far in B.C.
Scientists and health officials around the world are keeping their eyes on the descendant of the highly-transmissible variant that has been found in at least 40 countries.
Known as BA.2, scientists widely consider it to be stealthier than the original version of omicron because particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to detect. Others worry it could also be more contagious.
In an emailed statement, the B.C. Ministry of Health told Vancouver Is Awesome that “BA.1 and BA.2 share many of the same mutations, but there are also mutations that are specific to each lineage.”