New COVID-19 subvariants replace BA.5 as most dominant in U.S.

New COVID-19 subvariants replace BA.5 as most dominant in U.S. The COVID-19 BA.5 variant has lost its dominance in the United States, according to the CDC. Two other variants -- BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 -- have replaced it. UPI

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The CDC data shows The new BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 together account for roughly 44% of new U.S. COVID-19 infections. The new variants are sublineages of BA.5. It's the first time since July that the BA.5 variant has not been dominant.

According to research from Dr. Shan-Lu Liu at Ohio State University, data suggests mutations in the BQ subvariants are more effective at entering human cells. He tweeted that the data on the new subvariants "raise new concerns."

While these new variants may be able to more effectively infect human cells, data so far indicates that vaccines and treatment should still work against them overall, according to Johns Hopkins University virologist Andrew Pekosz.

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