February 23, 2022
2 mins read

More contagious version of Omicron spreads in US

BA.2 is found to have quickly overtaken the original Omicron strain in South Africa and other countries and has even caused a second surge of the variant in Denmark….reports Asian Lite News

Infectious disease experts are keeping a close eye on an even more contagious version of the Omicron variant spreading in the US, fuelling concerns that the country may not return to normal, said a media report.

The virus, known as BA.2, is a strain of the highly contagious Omicron variant that appears to spread 30 per cent more easily, Xinhua news agency quoted the report by National Public Radio (NPR).

BA.2 is found to have quickly overtaken the original Omicron strain in South Africa and other countries and has even caused a second surge of the variant in Denmark.

Researchers cautioned the same could happen in the US, raising fears that the spread “may be on track to rapidly accelerate in the near future”, according to the report.

Covid-19 surge could alter daily life for millions in US

As of Wednesday morning, the US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 78,642,385 and 938,938, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

Meanwhile, Hawaii remains the only remaining US state sticking with an indoor mask mandate as Covid-19 cases continued to decline across the country, a media report said.

Hawaii, which has had the country’s fewest cases per capita over the course of the pandemic, has seen its daily average of new cases plummet about 70 per cent over the past two weeks, Xinhua news agency quoted The New York Times report on Tuesday as saying.

As of Wednesday morning, Hawaii’s overall Covid-19 caseload and death toll stood at 234,701 and 1,304, respectively.

“I am working with the Department of Health to determine when the time is right for Hawaii to lift the indoor mask mandate,” Governor David Ige told the local media on Tuesday.

“Hawaii ranks second (to the last) in the nation when it comes to Covid deaths, in part because of the indoor mask requirement and other measures that have proven successful in protecting our community from this potentially deadly virus,” he added.

States across the US have moved to end masking requirements as cases of Covid-19 continue to drop.

Some Governors have ended universal indoor and outdoor masking mandates, while others have lifted statewide face covering requirements for schools.

In a statement, the Hawaii State Department of Education said there are no current plans to drop mask mandates in classrooms.

Three other states — California, Maryland and New York — as well as Washington, D.C., have also not announced end dates for their indoor school face covering mandates.

ALSO READ: Biden-Putin summit off the table: US

Previous Story

Biden-Putin summit off the table: US

Next Story

Over 12.5mn US kids infected with Covid-19

Latest from USA

Visa Interview Pause Nearing End, Says US

India is the source country for the largest group of international students in the US and Bruce’s comments will be closely followed there….reports Asian Lite News The United States said the pause

India-US eye June trade deal

The trade discussions come at a crucial time, with the United States’ 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods—imposed on April 2—currently suspended until July 9….reports Asian Lite News India and

FS Misri in US to Boost Tech, Trade Ties

The meeting, held in Washington, focused on strengthening existing frameworks and building momentum on key tech and trade initiatives…reports Asian Lite News Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday (India time) met with

EU Vows US Trade Deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen phoned Trump on Sunday, after which he agreed to postpone the planned tariff increase until July 9….reports Asian Lite News The European Commission remains “fully

Top Indian Officials Head to Washington

The visit, likely next week, follows US President Trump’s claims that his administration helped broker the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire….reports Asian Lite News Top sources revealed on Sunday that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India consular teams set to process record student visa applications

Garcetti had said that one out of every five US

Death toll climbs as blizzard-battered Buffalo area digs out

At least 40 deaths in western New York, most of