Like its parent XBB, Kraken has strong immune evasive properties compared with previous Omicron sub-lineages, according to scientists.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/14/what-is-the-new-covid-variant-xbb-1-5

Nationally, the new EG.5 variant, a spinoff of the XBB recombinant strain of the Omicron family, is driving most new infections, according to the latest estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/metallica-postpones-concert-after-hetfield-catches-covid-186018

Of the 56, the DOH said that 28 were tagged as BA.2.3.20, 16 were classified as XBB, two cases each of BQ.1 and XBC, and eight were other omicron sublineages.

Source: https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/21/56-new-cases-of-omicron-subvariants-logged-doh/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=56-new-cases-of-omicron-subvariants-logged-doh

Omicron's XBB variants, alongside BQ.1, are the most resistant to antibodies built up from vaccination and previous infections, according to the WHO.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/what-is-xbb-1-5-the-most-transmissible-covid-subvariant-yet-3690967

Professor Tim Spector, of King’s College, and founder of the Covid Zoe app, recently tweeted: “XBB could be the new variant to watch out for in 2023.”

Source: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/covid-variant-symptoms-omicron-china-usa-uk-xbb-b1050477.html

The CDC started tracking XBB.1.5 separately from its parent strain XBB from the week of November 12 last year, when it accounted for only 0.1 per cent of cases nationwide.

Source: https://www.canindia.com/omicron-subvariant-xbb-1-5-prevalence-jumps-to-75-in-us/

The most common variant reported in the state at the moment is XBB, a recombinant Omicron variant, health officials said.

Source: https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/south-australia-faces-new-covid-spike-as-warnings-of-new-waves-every-3-6-months-c-12539529

The Ontario Genomics Network is updating its software in order to specifically identify cases of XBB.1.5, which are currently identified as XBB.

Source: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/immune-evasive-covid-subvariant-in-ottawa-wastewater-part-of-new-pandemic-wave

The study did not include data on infection from Omicron XBB and its sub-lineages.

Source: https://www.canindia.com/covid-provides-long-lasting-natural-immunity-says-large-lancet-study/

The two positive samples that first identified the XBB 1.16 variant were detected in January.

Source: https://voiceofsikkim.com/610-cases-of-the-new-variant-xbb1-16-of-covid-have-been-detected-in-india-insacog/

This fast-growing descendant of the XBB recombinant variant has a constellation of mutations that have raised the eyebrows of variant trackers.

Source: https://krdo.com/news/2023/09/04/early-lab-tests-suggest-new-covid-19-variant-ba-2-86-may-be-less-contagious-and-less-immune-evasive-than-feared/

“We just don’t know yet how serious that one’s going to be, but I will say that XBB is the one that we’re tracking the most closely,” according to Koffarnus.

Source: https://www.missourinet.com/2023/01/18/missouri-department-of-health-discusses-xbb-1-5-kraken-variant/

With XBB, the latest omicron variant, fueling an increase in cases, China is expected to witness a peak towards the end of the June, with as many as 65 million cases per week.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/new-covid-wave-china-65-million-casesus-discusses-chinas-second-covid-wave-allies-partners-5-key-points-8630107/