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'Second type' of Omicron Covid that may spread faster being monitored by scientists

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There is evidence of a new type of Omicron Covid, according to experts. Dr Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College London explained that the strain - known to scientists as BA.2 - is growing compared to the previous Omicron variant which is known as BA.1.

Omicron BA.1 is the dominant strain throughout Scotland with 21,832 confirmed cases of the variant across the country. However, in an announcement earlier this week Nicola Sturgeon said recent figures "gives us confidence that we have turned the corner on the Omicron wave" and announced the end to many restrictions.

Despite the positivity, another more strain of Omicron may impact case numbers, reports Wales Online.Dr Peackcock stated that the growth of BA.2 across multiple countries may mean it is more transmissible than Omicron,He said: "Consistent growth across multiple countries is evidence BA.2 may be some degree more transmissible than BA.1."Unfortunately this is really where the evidence mostly ends.

We do not currently have a strong handle on antigenicity, severity or a much evidence for how much more transmissibility BA.2 might have over BA.1 ."The scientist did say that very early observations from India and Denmark suggest there is no "dramatic difference" in severity compared to Omicron, but the data is being closely monitored.Writing on Twitter, he said: "So how worried should we be?

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