In recent weeks, a new variant of the coronavirus, known as XBB.1.5, has been gaining prevalence in the U.S. This variant, first discovered in India in August, contains genetic data from two previous mutations and is believed to be more antibody-evasive than other SARS-CoV-2 variants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the variant is most prevalent in the Northeastern states of the U.S., comprising 82% of cases in New England, New York, and New Jersey, and making up half of the cases in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, and one-third of cases in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Though the variant has not been proven to be more severe than other variants, studies have suggested that it may not respond as well to antibody treatments. The FDA has warned that one at-home saliva testing kit, DxTerity, has been found to have reduced sensitivity to some omicron mutations, including the XBB.1.5. It is recommended that people continue to follow CDC guidelines, such as wearing a mask, getting vaccinated, and staying home if you are feeling unwell, even if you test negative for COVID.
As XBB.1.5 continues to spread, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest information and recommendations from health professionals. With the right precautions in place, the spread of this variant can be slowed and its effects minimized.