A study led by Japanese researchers claims that the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron is more severe and contagious, and can even reach the lungs.

Scientists from the universities of Tokyo, Kumamoto, Hokkaido, and Kyoto in Japan, cited by Noticias ao minuto, rate this strain 'of concern'.

According to study, published on the BioRxiv platform and still awaiting peer review, the replication speed of BA.2 is 1.4 times higher than that seen for the first Omicron strain. Based on epidemiological data from several countries, the researchers found that, compared to the original version, BA.1 has more than 50 differences in viral structure, which is almost twice as many mutations as existed between Delta and the first coronavirus form.

Recall that the BA.2 strain of the Omicron variant was first detected in Portugal in late December.

Source: News to the Minute