A sub-variant of Omicron called BA.2 is already starting to outpace the original strain of Omicron in some European countries, raising concerns that it will lead to even higher caseloads around the world. The U.K. Health Security Agency just designated BA.2 a “variant under investigation,” which basically means that we know it exists but we’re not sure how dangerous it will be just yet. Trust me, I’m exhausted too, so let’s cut straight to the chase: How worried should we be about this terrifyingly nicknamed “Stealth Omicron”?
The short answer is ‘not very’ — at least not right now. So far, there is no evidence that Stealth Omicron is deadlier than the OG version. In Denmark, where BA.2 is starting to outpace the original strain, the risk of hospitalization is 36% lower now than it was during the Delta wave, according to Fortune. All evidence suggests that our vaccines help prevent severe illness from BA.2 just as they have against other mutations.
