New Omicron sub-variant of Covid emerges in the UK with more than 400 cases

Scientists believe a new variant of Omicron is emerging at a rate where it could soon overtake its predecessor with more than 400 cases found in the UK.

Known as Omicron BA.2, the new variant has been identified in more than 420 cases in the UK since November and is believed to be multiplying in some parts of Europe and India.

BA.2 was last week classified as a "variant under investigation" by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). the Mirror reports.

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Not much is known about the sub-variant but early signs suggest it could be more transmissible than the dominant form of Omicron - known as BA.1.

Despite this, it is not believed to be any more deadly.

Wordlwide data suggests that Denmark is currently experiencing the new variant the most, with more than 6,400 cases confirmed in the country.

But medics don't believe there is any cause for concern since new mutations are always expected.

Anders Fomsgaard, chief physician and virus researcher at the Statens Serum Institut (SSI), told Danish media: "We cannot see any difference in hospitalisation numbers, death rates with BA.2, so it is not something that worries us yet.”

He said that BA.2 is still "a new piece in the Covid game", but continued: “Right now we should just treat it as yet another variant until new data should eventually show other results."

Virologist Dr Tom peacock, from Imperial College London, said he is confident that the new sub-variant is not the result of a mix of Delta and Omicron.

He told the Daily Mail : "Even with slightly higher transmissibility this absolutely is not a Delta to Omicron change, and instead is likely to be slower and more subtle.

“That said, I would not be surprised if BA.2 slowly replaces [Omicron] over the coming