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XBB.1.5 COVID subvariant may be driving cases higher, WHO says

Click to play video: 'Masks recommended on long flights amid COVID variant spread: WHO'
Masks recommended on long flights amid COVID variant spread: WHO
Countries should consider recommending passengers wear masks on long-haul flights to counter the latest Omicron subvariant of COVID-19, given its rapid spread across the U.S., World Health Organization (WHO) officials said on Tuesday. In Europe, the XBB.1.5 subvariant is being detected in small but growing numbers, WHO officials said in a press briefing – Jan 10, 2023

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that the XBB.1.5 Omicron sub-variant of COVID-19 may be spurring more cases.

“Based on its genetic characteristics and early growth rate estimates, XBB.1.5 may contribute to increases in case incidence,” the WHO said after a Jan. 5 technical meeting.

However, it said that it had only “low confidence” in the assessment as data was mostly coming from just one country, the United States, which has provided more than 80% of sequences.

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(Reporting by Emma Farge)

Click to play video: 'Canadian concerns of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 growing'
Canadian concerns of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 growing

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