UT Southwestern researchers confirm two BA.2 cases in North Texas
Researchers confirmed two cases of BA.2, a sub-lineage of the omicron variant, through sequencing at the University of Texas Southwestern on Thursday. Scientists discovered the sub-lineage in December, shortly after the original omicron lineage, called BA.1, was identified. Recent spread of the sub-lineage led the U.K. Health Security Agency to designate BA.2 as “under investigation.”
Here’s what to know about BA.2, a little-understood sub-type of omicron
Public health experts are monitoring a sub-lineage of the omicron variant that is spreading in several European and Asian countries.
Pfizer and BioNTech launch clinical trial of Covid vaccine targeting omicron
Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday launched a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine that targets the Covid omicron variant, as concerns grow that the current shots aren’t holding up against infections and mild illness caused by the strain discovered just over two months ago
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Limits Use of Certain Monoclonal Antibodies to Treat COVID-19 Due to the Omicron Variant
As we have throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has used the best available science as the virus has evolved to make informed decisions with the health and safety of the American public in mind. Ensuring that healthcare providers on the frontlines have the best tools available to treat patients is a top priority for the agency.
Pills, antibodies in short supply
Dr. Emma Dishner has been flooded with calls from patients about how they can access COVID-19 treatments as the omicron variant surges across North Texas. Dishner, an infectious disease specialist with North Texas Infectious Disease Consultants in Dallas, said her nurse practitioner spent Monday calling all the pharmacies in the area that were said to have doses of Pfizer and Merck’s new COVID-19 pills.