CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Health experts predict a new uptick in COVID-19 cases. Why is that?
Let's connect the dots.
Another highly contagious variant has entered the scene. It's called BA.2. Doctor Anthony Fauci said it's about 50 to 60% more transmissible than omicron.
Omicron was the dominant variant during the winter surge but caused fewer serious illnesses and hospitalizations.
The new variant is estimated to account for about 25 to 30% of new U.S. COVID-19 cases.
But there is good news.
It does not appear to be more severe, and the vaccines and boosters appear to keep it at bay. Officials continue to push vaccines as the best possible way to prevent serious illness.
Health officials say the country is in a better position now than it was in the last two years when COVID-19 defined our lives.
WCNC Charlotte is part of seven major media companies and other local institutions reporting on and engaging the community around the problems and solutions as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a project of the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, which is supported by the Local Media Project, an initiative launched by the Solutions Journalism Network with support from the Knight Foundation to strengthen and reinvigorate local media ecosystems. See all of our reporting at charlottejournalism.org.