Omicron is dominant in Italy, while Omicron 2 is rapidly growing. According to the latest report on the circulation of Sars-CoV-2 variants in Italy, “on March 7 the Omicron variant was predominant – reports the Higher Institute of Health – with an estimated prevalence of 99.9%” and “a regional variability between 99.2% and 100%. The sub-lineage BA.2 “, precisely the so-called Omicron 2, has a prevalence” equal to 44.1% “and” was found in almost all the Regions / Provinces autonomous “with a range between 0% of Valle d’Aosta and 79.7% of Liguria.
In the previous survey, with data as of January 31, the Omicron 2 sub-variant was 3%, present in 16 Regions / Pa.
Covid infections on the rise: with Omicron 2 Easter will be the testing ground
by Donatella Zorzetto
For the rapid investigation, conducted by ISS and the Ministry of Health together with the regional laboratories and the Bruno Kessler Foundation, the laboratories of the Regions / Pa were asked to select subsamples of positive cases and to sequence the genome of the virus.
The sample requested was randomly chosen from among the positive samples, ensuring a certain geographical representativeness and, if possible, for different age groups. In total, all the Regions / PAs and a total of 117 regional laboratories and the Military Health Laboratory participated in the survey, and 1,984 samples were sequenced.
Covid. Omicron2, the most contagious variant: what are the symptoms
