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As BA.2 subvariant of Omicron rises, lab studies point to signs of severity
CNN ^ | February 17, 2022 | Brenda Goodman

Posted on 02/18/2022 12:40:47 PM PST by fluorescence

The BA.2 virus-- a subvariant of the Omicron coronavirus variant-- isn't just spreading faster than its distant cousin, it may also cause more severe disease and appears capable of thwarting some of the key weapons we have against Covid-19, new research suggests.

New lab experiments from Japan show that BA.2 may have features that make it as capable of causing serious illness as older variants of Covid-19, including Delta.

And like Omicron, it appears to largely escape the immunity created by vaccines. A booster shot restores protection, making illness after infection about 74% less likely.

BA.2 is also resistant to some treatments, including sotrovimab, the monoclonal antibody that's currently being used against Omicron.

The findings were posted Wednesday as a preprint study on the bioRxiv server, before peer review. Normally, before a study is published in medical journal, it is scrutinized by independent experts. Preprints allow research to be shared more quickly, but they are posted before that additional layer of review.

"It might be, from a human's perspective, a worse virus than BA.1 and might be able to transmit better and cause worse disease," says Dr. Daniel Rhoads, section head of microbiology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Rhoads reviewed the study but was not involved in the research.

BA.2 is highly mutated compared with the original Covid-causing virus that emerged in Wuhan, China. It also has dozens of gene changes that are different from the original Omicron strain, making it as distinct from the most recent pandemic virus as the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants were from each other.

Kei Sato, a researcher at the University of Tokyo who conducted the study, argues that these findings prove that BA.2 should not be considered a type of Omicron and that it needs to be more closely monitored.

(Excerpt) Read more at edition.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: ba2; ba2virus; cnn; covid; fearporn; omicron; stikeupthefear; subvariant; variant
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To: fluorescence

Omicron spread around the world in like 2 weeks. BA.2 has been around at least a month and is still only 5% of cases in the US. If it was truly more transmissible it would be everywhere by now. BA.2 seems to be a dud right now.


21 posted on 02/18/2022 1:11:11 PM PST by Mozzafiato
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To: fluorescence

They are setting the stage for all the vaxxed that will die from the variants after taking the safe and effective vaccine that gave then VAIDS


22 posted on 02/18/2022 1:11:13 PM PST by eyeamok (founded in cynicism, wrapped in sarcasm)
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To: SkyDancer

Just in time for the midterm elections. A reason to suspend the elections or allow people to vote online or by mail.


23 posted on 02/18/2022 1:18:22 PM PST by dmzTahoe
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To: fluorescence

Here comes the fall lockdown just after the democrats trick everyone into voting for them because the “pandemic” is over.


24 posted on 02/18/2022 1:23:08 PM PST by Skywise
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To: fluorescence

Sorry, CNN, the New Variant! ploy has already been tried and we’re on to it. The mandates and restrictions must be lifted anyway.


25 posted on 02/18/2022 1:24:18 PM PST by colorado tanker
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To: fluorescence

“may”, “appears”, “suggest”

kind of like ya-got-no-phookin-idea.


26 posted on 02/18/2022 1:27:03 PM PST by Macoozie (Handcuffs and Orange Jumpsuits)
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To: fluorescence

BS.

They have cried wolf too often over covid for me to believe them any more.


27 posted on 02/18/2022 1:27:16 PM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith….)
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To: fluorescence

Fear, fear, fear, fear ...

The vaccinations have created these variants.


28 posted on 02/18/2022 1:27:58 PM PST by Baldwin77 (Democrats CANNOT win without violence and/or cheating)
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To: fluorescence

seems odd it would get more lethal...


29 posted on 02/18/2022 1:37:06 PM PST by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. #FJB)
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To: fluorescence
As BA.2 subvariant of Omicron rises, lab studies point to signs of severity (in hamsters)

It's a good thing we're not hamsters!

No sign of this increased severity in HUMANS. Instead, it appears to be less severe.

30 posted on 02/18/2022 1:37:08 PM PST by ETCM
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To: fluorescence

CNN
🤡


31 posted on 02/18/2022 1:41:42 PM PST by TheConservativeParty (MAGA FOREVER 🇺🇸)
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To: fluorescence

BA.2 was identified in December. As of 2/6/22 it comprised 15 percent of all sequenced COVID samples. B.1.1.529 Omicron was renamed to BA.1 and now running around as BA.1.1. There has also been suspicion of a BA.3 emerging.

It’s all normal progression of a virus.


32 posted on 02/18/2022 1:41:58 PM PST by IndispensableDestiny
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To: fluorescence; Vermont Lt; BobL; Kartographer; JRandomFreeper; Tilted Irish Kilt; Jane Long; ...

Coronavirus PING!

33 posted on 02/18/2022 2:10:34 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Florida: America's new free zone.)
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To: Mozzafiato; Owen

Owen mentioned this variant. He has high hopes for it, thinks it looks deadly.


34 posted on 02/18/2022 2:22:27 PM PST by SaxxonWoods ("If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself." - Minquass)
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To: Seruzawa

Actually it’s a little late. When delta was starting down is when we heard of omicron from SA. They are way late with this one.


35 posted on 02/18/2022 2:27:37 PM PST by gas_dr (Conditions of Socratic debate: Intelligence, Candor, and Good Will. )
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To: fluorescence
Wow... So they've "discovered" a sub variant of Omicron as transmissible as Omicron but potentially as lethal as earlier variants... And gosh, what a coincidence that it can elude vaccines, yet somehow boosters made of the exact same stuff restore protection! Amazing! ;-/

It's almost like this variant was PR firm designed to promote boosters. Almost...

36 posted on 02/18/2022 2:30:16 PM PST by ThunderSleeps (Vaccine mandates: they are not about health, they are about obedience.)
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To: Chode

It would if it was new lab variants being released according to schedule.


37 posted on 02/18/2022 2:43:19 PM PST by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
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To: fluorescence

If it’s not Omicron, then it must be Pi.

You get a Pi, You get a Pi, everyone gets a Pi!!!


38 posted on 02/18/2022 2:43:33 PM PST by DannyTN
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To: fluorescence

Guess what. We don’t care.


39 posted on 02/18/2022 2:52:20 PM PST by FlyingEagle
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To: fluorescence

It’s actual name is BS2 Virus - trademark by A. Fauci, Death Merchants Inc`.


40 posted on 02/18/2022 2:55:00 PM PST by FlyingEagle
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