New Omicron subtype BA.1.1 discovered in China

An Antigen tests for COVID-19 which detect the presence of a specific viral antigen that indicates current viral infection. Photo Source: Mint

As the world continues to fight the BA.2 Omicron variant, China's health experts discovered a new coronavirus strain after one individual in Suzhou, near Shanghai, showed minor COVID symptoms which are not similar to previously found strains nationwide.

According to the experts, the subvariant is named BA.1.1. does not match with any existing Omicron variants nor the ones sent to GISAID and therefore should be taken seriously as cautioned by the World Health Organization (WHO).

What distinguishes it from previously discovered variants:

• Experts believe this subtype may have developed from the Omicron variant's BA.1.1. strain

• The new subtype found in China is unrelated to the Omicron variant's new COVID-19 mutant 'XE.'

However, local authorities confirmed that the new subtype is not thought to be the cause of the increasing outbreak of COVID cases in Shanghai, but the existing BA.2 variant.

Lockdown in Shanghai

When the COVID cases in Shanghai reached up to 13,000, the Chinese authorities extended the lockdown policy again to control the rising number of infected individuals amid the public's protest against strict quarantine rules.

As stated in the reports, the duration of the lockdown will continue until further notice.

Since at least 38,000 workforces are assigned to go to other regions from Shanghai, the state media view it as the largest medical operation nationwide since the first Corona outbreak in Wuhan in 2020.