Medical experts say the new COVID-19 mutation dubbed “kraken” is the most contagious subvariant of the virus to emerge since the pandemic began — and it’s becoming the dominant strain in the United States.
As cases of this latest subvariant, known as XBB.1.5, surge across the northeastern section of the nation, physicians are urging residents to get their booster shots and stock up on COVID tests. They are predicting that a wave will soon hit the Midwest.
“We are seeing the emergence of more infectious omicron subvariants and XBB.1.5. ... It is the most contagious of COVID yet,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, during a Facebook Live session earlier this week. “Given prior experience, I expect that this ... will probably be getting into the Midwest and Chicago over the next few weeks, and we probably will see an increase in cases.”
