XBB.1.5, this sub-variant will soon become mainstream in the United States

A new subspecies of Omicron is making its way very quickly in the US and could be dominant there within the next few weeks.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Friday that 40% of new cases are linked to the XBB.1.5 subtype. 20% increase in one week.

In the northeastern United States, XBB.1.5 will account for approximately 75% of new cases.

This rapid spread raises fears of a new wave of COVID-19 among our southern neighbors, particularly with increased contacts during the holiday season.

According to the CDC’s Division Director of Coronaviruses and Respiratory Viruses, Dr. Barbara Mahon, this variant does not make you significantly sicker than other Omicron variants. It would not have caused an increase in the number of hospitalizations at the moment.

Not much is known about XB.1.5, not even its origin.

Many scientists fear it could circumvent the immunity the population has built up since the start of the pandemic nearly three years ago.

In Quebec, there are no numbers for this variant.

It was counted by INSPQ among “other” variables on December 29.