New Covid Variant Sweeping the Northeast

By Matis Glenn

A new strain of the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly, according to data from the CDC.

In the span of one one week, the variant, known as XBB.1.5, went from accounting for 21 percent of nationwide infections, to double that amount.

In Northeastern states, the new strain is responsible for 75 percent of infections.

“We’re projecting that it’s going to be the dominant variant in the Northeast region of the country and that it’s going to increase in all regions of the country,” Dr. Barbara Mahon, director of the CDC’s proposed Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, told CBS News.

While flu season is in full swing, the CDC doesn’t believe the new variant will necessarily cause more of a “strain” on the health care infrastructure than its forebears.

“There’s no suggestion at this point that XBB.1.5 is more severe,” Mahon told CBS.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!