Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that more than 40% of Covid-19 cases in the United States are now caused by Omicron XBB.1.5 – a variant that has alarmed experts. “The irony is that probably the worst variant the world is facing right now is XBB,” Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, told Reuters.
Here’s everything you need to know about XBB.1.5
1. Virologist Eric Feigl Ding called XBB.1.5 a “super variant,” the “next big one” causing a spike in hospitalizations in New York.
2. XBB.1.5 is a new recombinant strain and is more immune and infects better than BQ.1 and XBB, the virologist said, adding that it is not “typical Omircon” but a variant of a special recombinant mixture that is further mutated.
3. The R value of XBB.1.5 is much worse than previous variants. “Multiple models show that XBB.1.5 is much worse in terms of R transfer value and infection rate than previous variants – faster by a LEAP and BOUND,” wrote Eric Fiegl Ding on Twitter.
4. According to the data, XBB.1.5 is 120% faster than BQ.1
5. “XBB.1.5 is probably a recombination variant of American origin that is 96% faster (worse) than the old XBB. XBB.1.5 appeared in the New York area in October and is causing problems,” the virologist wrote on Twitter.
6. All US states where XBB.1.5 is dominant are seeing spikes in hospitalizations, leading to the explanation that this variant is responsible for the increased hospitalization rates.
7. XBB.1.5 is also spreading rapidly in the UK.