The emergence of a new Covid-19 variant called XBB.1.5 has experts worried about the potential for a significant upsurge in cases globally.

• The XBB.1.5 comprised an estimated 40.5% of all Covid-19 cases over this past week, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• That’s up from 21.7% the week prior. That one week jump has vaulted the XBB.1.5 ahead of the BQ.1 and the BQ.1.1 subvariant as the new dominant subvariant in the U.S.
• The first case of this new strain was found in India, and it has already caused concern due to its ability to evade immune systems and its high level of contagion.