COVID-19 Omicron Sub-Variant BA.2 Virus Found in Long Beach

On January 28, 2022, the Long Beach Health Departmentreceived confirmation ofits first case of the Omicron subvariant, BA.2. The new subvariant was first detected inSouth Africa inDecemberof2021 and has since been detected in 49 countries, including the United States.

The potential impact of BA.2 is notyetfully known. There is some indication that the new subvariant, which has been nicknamed Stealth Omicron, may spread more easily thanthe originalOmicron variant, but right now it does not appear that BA.2 causes more severe illness.

Early data from the U.K. showthat being up to dateon COVID-19 vaccines (fully vaccinatedorvaccinated plus boosted for those eligible) protectsjust as wellagainstsevere diseasein BA.2. Since the original Omicron was first introduced in Long Beachin December of last year, there have been 327 hospitalizations and 70 deaths. In recent weeks, fatalities have increased - today the Cityreported13 new deathsof residents, all of which have occurred this month. Ofthose hospitalized, 91% wereeither unvaccinated or not up to datewith their vaccinations, and 93% of those who died from the viruswere either unvaccinated or not up to datewith vaccinations. Everyone is urged to reduce COVID-19 transmission by getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing masks indoors and at large outdoor events and by staying home and getting tested when feeling sick or if exposed to COVID-19.

In Long Beach,whereapproximately 98% of sequenced cases are Omicron, cases have declined to an average of 991 per day compared to Jan.13, when cases averaged 2,282 per day. Thecurrent seven-day average case rate is 256.4 per 100,000, compared to two weeks ago when the case rate was 442.9 per 100,000.The positivity rate has also dropped from 29.6% to 24.3%. While the Omicron surge may have peaked, cases remain extraordinarily high when compared with previous surges. It is important that everyone continue to remain diligent as BA.2 may have the potentialto extend the current surge orcause a new surge, and it is not yet clear whether a person who has contracted the Omicron variant of COVID-19 can be reinfected by BA.2.

The Health Department urges everyone to become vaccinatedand get their boosters when eligible. The more people who are vaccinated, the lower the chance that any variant can get a foothold in our community. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 cases, as well as preventing hospitalization, serious illness or death among breakthrough cases of the virus.

The Cityoffers vaccine clinics six days a week: the schedule can be found at longbeach.gov/vaxlb. No appointment is necessary at City-run vaccine clinics. People also may contact their healthcare provider or area pharmacies or visit myturn.ca.govto make a vaccine appointment. Vaccines are available to everyone 5 years old and older, regardless of immigration status, and are always free of charge.

Many symptoms of COVID-19 resemble those of a cold, flu and allergies. Anyone experiencing congestion or a runny nose, the sniffles, sore throat, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea should be tested for COVID-19. Free testing is available at City-run sites; people also may contact their healthcare provider or area pharmacies to receive a test.

Media questions may be directed to Jennifer Rice Epstein, Public Affairs Officer, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, at [email protected]or 562.441.3590.