© 2024 WBGO
Discover Jazz...Anywhere, Anytime, on Any Device.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

NYC Monitoring Omicron Subvariant That Is Making Up More Cases Now

A 3D-generated image of the coronavirus variant of concern known as omicron. The little bumps are spike proteins (see definition below).
Uma Shankar Sharma/Getty Images
A 3D-generated image of the coronavirus variant of concern known as omicron. The little bumps are spike proteins (see definition below).

New York City health officials are keeping a close eye on a subvariant of omicron that has caused a spike in coronavirus cases in other parts of the world. Dr. Celia Quinn with the City's Health Department estimates the subvariant makes up about 30 percent of coronavirus cases in the city.

“It has been increasing over the past several weeks. We have been seeing that. At the same time, the overall case numbers have been relatively stable with some increase in the last few days.”

Officials say it does not appear the subvariant will cause more severe illness than omicron but believe it is more transmissible. The city remains in a low risk environment. Health officials say there are no further changes coming anytime soon to coronavirus restrictions.