A new Covid sub-variant may soon outpace Omicron after more than 400 cases were found in the UK, scientists believe.
The variant, nicknamed 'Stealth Omicron' and known to scientists as BA.2, is now said to be responsible for over 8,000 cases worldwide.
Designated a 'variant under investigation' by the UK Health Security Agency last week, it is believed that Stealth could be more transmissible with a better chance of evading current vaccines.
A total of 426 cases are said to have been found in the UK so far with the strain being identified in 40 countries around the globe, reports Wales Online.
Unlike Omicron, BA.2 cannot be distinguished from other Covid variant using a PCR test, which makes it more difficult to track.
There are thought to be as many as 28 mutations in Stealth.
Experts say the indications at the minute are that the speed of transmission and any ability to evade the vaccine are only slightly higher in BA.2.
Worldwide data suggests that Denmark is currently the epicentre of the new variant, with more than 6,400 confirmed cases.
However, experts warn there are still huge gaps in knowledge about the sub-variant. Medics have said they do not believe there is cause for alarm, with new mutations always expected.
Virologist Dr Tom Peacock, from Imperial College London, said he is confident that the new sub-variant is not a mixture of Delta and Omicron.
He told the Daily Mail : “Even with slightly higher transmissibility this absolutely is not a Delta to Omicron change, and instead is likely to be slower and more subtle."
He added: “Very early observations from India and Denmark suggest there is no dramatic difference in severity.”
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