COVID: Kraken, Cerberus continue moderate growth - ISS

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 3 - The newer Kraken and Cerberus sub-strains of the COVID-19 virus are continuing to show moderate growth in Italy, the Higher Health Institute (ISS) said in its latest variant report Friday.
    The increase, albeit moderate, in the proportion of sequences linked to the sub-languages CH.1.1 called Cerberus (2.2% compared to 0.6% in the previous bulletin) and XBB.1.5 known as Kraken (1.1% compared to 0.05%) continues, according to the latest ISS variant bulletin for the last 6 weeks (19 December 2022 - 29 January 2023).
    Omicron accounts for almost all (99.97%) of the sequencing.
    The remaining 0.03% can be attributed to a Delta/Omicron recombinant.
    BA.5 is predominant (87.0%), with 138 different sub-lignatures.
    Of these, BQ.1.1 reached 38.9% (was 30.8% in the previous report). (ANSA).