BQ.1

XBB and BQ.1: what we know about these two omicron ‘cousins’

XBB and BQ.1: what we know about these two omicron ‘cousins’: Mahir KART/Shutterstock In late October, the UK Health Security Agency assigned variant designations to two new omicron “grandchildren”: BQ.1 and XBB. This means they will be monitored by health authorities, but are not at this stage regarded as variants of concern. If we think …

Omicron BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 – an expert answers three key questions about these new COVID variants

Omicron BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 – an expert answers three key questions about these new COVID variants: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock Two new omicron subvariants, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, are quickly gaining traction in the US, collectively accounting for 27% of infections as of October 29. Both are descendants of BA.5, the omicron variant that has dominated around the …