Concerns about the new Omicron variant fuelling a fresh spate of cases in the United States and beyond are on the rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) initially detected the COVID-19 Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 in Oct. 2022. Nicknamed “Kraken,” this variant is believed to be more contagious than past variants. Read more: Chinese take risks on black market drugs as Covid surgesWhere have cases of this variant been seen thus far? CDC reports that 40 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. the week ending Saturday, Dec. 31 are due to this variant, with 75 percent of cases in the Northeastern states being this variant.

Source: New York Times January 11, 2023 01:13 UTC