True: The BA.2 variant of COVID-19 has been detected in San Diego, California.

By: Shashi M
April 1 2022

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The new Omicron variant BA.2 was found in San Diego, California, in December 2021. 209 cases have been reported in the county as of March 30.Omicron, a COVID-19 variant, is more transmissible when compared to other variants. The caseload steadily increased worldwide when Omicron began spreading in 2021. Omicron has since become dominant in many countries. Subvariants of Omicron have also been discovered in many countries. Omicron "includes Pango lineage B.1.1.529 and descendent Pango lineages BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, and BA.3," according to the WHO's Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). The World Health Organization (WHO) states that BA.2 is considered different from BA.1 in its genetic sequence, based on initial data, and BA.2 appears inherently more transmissible than BA.1. It also emphasizes that the BA.2 sublineage should continue to be monitored and considered a variant of concern. BA.2 has been detected in many states and counties of the U.S. It has been called the "stealth" version of the Omicron variant. San Diego County reported its first case of BA.2 in December 2021, as reported by NBC 7 San Diego. According to a San Diego County Health and Human Services (HHSA) official, sequencing discovered two cases of the BA.2 mutation on December 26, 2021 and a third on January 2, 2022. Addditionally, a report titled "The County of San Diego 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary of Variant Cases'' was published on March 30, 2022, and reported that 209 BA.2 cases have been recorded from December 17, 2021, March 18, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated the combined national proportion of lineages designated as Omicron. It reports that the national proportion of BA.2 is projected to be 54.9 percent. B.1.1 is projected to be 40.4 percent, and BA.1.1.529 is projected to be 4.7 percent for the period March 20, 2022, to March 26, 2022. The WHO is closely monitoring the BA.2 lineage. It has also recommended that countries monitor the Omicron sublineages and undertake independent analyses. Furthermore, it emphasizes improving immunization and other preventative steps to curb the spread of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.