The Omicron variant of the COVID-19
virus currently accounts for 100% of the new cases in Italy, the
Higher Health Institute (ISS) said Friday.
Some 12 cases of the Kraken sub-variant have been detected while
another previously unknown sub-strain, Orthrus, is also on the
rise, the ISS said.
In Italy on 10 January, the Omicron variant had an estimated
prevalence of 100%, with the BA.5 sub-variant largely
predominant and a 3.6% share of omicron/omicron recombinants,
said the rapid survey conducted by the ISS and the Ministry of
Health together with regional laboratories and the Bruno Kessler
Foundation.
As in other European countries, sequencing of the CH.1.1
sublineage known as Orthrus is increasing (2.6% compared to 1.0%
in the previous survey of 13 December), "whose characteristics
are being investigated".
The ISS and the ministry did not say where the Kraken cases had
been found.
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