Stealth Omicron: Scientists discover case of new Covid variant in Derbyshire

A case of the coronavirus variant dubbed ‘stealth Omicron’ has been discovered in Derbyshire, according to scientists studying Covid infection samples.
Tim Paget
By Tim Paget
Published 28th Jan 2022, 08:46 BST
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Cases of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2 have been in the UK for some time after the first example was found on December 6, 2021.

But numbers are growing both here and abroad, and the UK Health Security Agency named it a ‘variant under investigation’ on January 21.

MORE: Chesterfield areas with the highest Covid infection rate in the past week

A case of the coronavirus variant dubbed ‘stealth Omicron’ has been discovered in Derbyshire, according to scientists studying Covid infection samples. Image: Pixabay.A case of the coronavirus variant dubbed ‘stealth Omicron’ has been discovered in Derbyshire, according to scientists studying Covid infection samples. Image: Pixabay.
A case of the coronavirus variant dubbed ‘stealth Omicron’ has been discovered in Derbyshire, according to scientists studying Covid infection samples. Image: Pixabay.
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In the latest analysis, up to January 15, one case was found in Derby. No other BA.2 cases were detected in the county.

Early analysis suggests it has a faster growth rate than the Omicron strain currently dominant in the UK, BA.1, but there is not enough evidence to say whether it causes more severe illness.

The Wellcome Sanger Institute analysed 38,000 positive Covid-19 tests taken in the week to January 15 to determine which variant they were.

It found one in 100 samples were now Stealth Omicron across England.

Related topics:DerbyshireOmicron