New Omicron spinoff XBB.1.16 is ‘one to watch,’ but hasn’t shown to be more severe --WHO

WHO warns new Omicron spinoff XBB.1.16 is 'one to watch,' but hasn't shown to be more severe | CNN The World Health Organization is monitoring the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16, which has been identified in about two dozen countries. Deidre McPhillips CNN

...

The subvariant has not been found in the United States, but it is similar to the XBB.1.5 subvariant that has been dominant in the country since January.

XBB.1.16 has one additional mutation that, according to lab studies, makes it more infectious and potentially more pathogenic, Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for Covid-19, said at a recent briefing.

...