**U.K. Health Officials Issue Warning About New Omicron Variant**
**Public Health England (PHE) has issued a warning about a new variant of the Omicron COVID-19 strain that is spreading in the United Kingdom.** The new variant, known as BA.2, is thought to be more transmissible than the original Omicron strain and may be responsible for a recent surge in cases in the U.K.
**The BA.2 variant was first identified in South Africa in November 2021 and has since been detected in several other countries, including the United States.** PHE is currently investigating the new variant to determine its transmissibility, severity, and potential impact on the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments.
**Early data suggest that the BA.2 variant is more transmissible than the original Omicron strain, but it is not yet clear whether it is more severe.** PHE is urging people to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, as vaccination remains the best way to protect against the virus.
**The emergence of the BA.2 variant is a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over.** It is important to continue to follow public health advice, including getting vaccinated, wearing a mask in indoor public settings, and practicing social distancing.
**Here are some additional details about the BA.2 variant:**
* It is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant, which was first identified in November 2021.
* It is thought to be more transmissible than the original Omicron strain, but it is not yet clear whether it is more severe.
* It has been detected in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Africa.
* PHE is currently investigating the new variant to determine its transmissibility, severity, and potential impact on the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments.
**It is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving and new variants of the virus are likely to emerge.** It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest public health advice and to take steps to protect yourself and others from infection.
**For more information on the BA.2 variant, please visit the Public Health England website:** https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigation-of-omicron-variant-of-concern-b-1-1-529-technical-briefings.
