What you need to know about the new Omicron COVID sub-variant in Northwest Louisiana

Makenzie Boucher, Shreveport Times
·1 min read

LSU Health Shreveport has confirmed a new variant of COVID in Northwest Louisiana. This new variant BA.2.12.1 is a sub lineage of the Omicron variant and is making up 20% of the samples collected.

This new variant is a sub lineage of Omicron meaning it originated from the same variant just mutated. The symptoms and severity of this variant are mild.

Dr. Krista Queen, Director of Viral Genomics and Surveillance at LSUHS said that this variant is one to keep an eye on due to its ability to spread. Queen said, "our community transmission is low."

Although this new variant is growing the transmission within this area is not high.

More: Is Louisiana done with COVID? Here's what one of Shreveport's top doctors says

Adrian Almodovar and Dr. Krista Queen, CEVT Viral Genomics and Sequencing Lab at LSU Health Shreveport
Adrian Almodovar and Dr. Krista Queen, CEVT Viral Genomics and Sequencing Lab at LSU Health Shreveport

As of April 27, the Shreveport Times reported the average number of COVID-positive patients in the area is nine per 100,000.

Although, the infected amount is low Queen is encouraging anyone up for a booster to receive the dosage because that is the best way to protect yourself.

Queen said it is to early to know all about this variant but it looks similar to Omicron. "We are watching the growth in the Ark-La-Tex," Queen said.

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: New Omicron COVID sub-variant found in Northwest Louisiana