Omicron Subvariant BA.2: What We Know Now

The COVID-19 Omicron subvariant, known as BA.2, is circulating in the US at "low levels," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About half the states have confirmed its presence, with about 127 cases identified as of today.

But in Denmark the subvariant represents more than 80% of cases seen. Case numbers are creeping up in the UK, and BA.2 is becoming the dominant Omicron strain in the Philippines, Nepal, Qatar, and India.

While all data remain preliminary, they point to the potential for an infection that is even more transmissable than the original Omicron strain, BA.1, but not any more infectious. Following is a topline look at what we know now.