Presence of New Coronavirus Variant Confirmed in Wisconsin

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022 -- 9:01 AM

(Terry Bell, WRN) The presence of a new coronavirus variant is confirmed in Wisconsin.

Public health officials in Madison say there’s only one case of the new omicron variant known as B-A-2 in Dane county, but more are likely coming. Doctors say the new strain appears to be more than 50-percent more contiguous than the original omicron variant.

Early studies show the new variant does not cause more severe symptoms than the first strain of omicron, so another surge in cases appears unlikely. People who’ve had booster shots, and people who’ve had omicron before appear to be well-equipped to fight off the new variant.

The B-A-2 omicron strain has been found in 40 counties.

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