Omicron is the new variant of Covid-19, first detected in South Africa in November 2021. Video / NZ HeraldNew Zealand has recorded its first case of a new Covid-19 subvariant, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. ESR confirmed it has sequenced the country's first case of the Omicron subvariant BQ.1.1 in a person who tested positive for Covid. "Early evidence overseas suggests the BQ.1.1 has a growth advantage relative to BA.5, the dominant variant currently circulating in New Zealand. "We would expect regions to experience increases and decreases in Covid-19 cases at different times depending on a range of conditions.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 13, 2022 04:52 UTC