China under pressure to curb imported Omicron variant

(ECNS) -- Gene sequencing results showed a more-infectious Omicron BA.5.2 subvariant has become the dominant Covid strain in Xi’an, Northwest China Shaanxi Province.

The BA.5.2 subvariant spreads faster than other strains, such as the BA.2 variant and is more contagious with a lower CT value among infected cases, making the current pandemic situation in Xi'an severe and complicated, according to a local press conference in Xi'an on Tuesday.

As the transmissibility and immune escape ability of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variant slightly increased, China faces improved pressure in the prevention and control of imported cases, said Wang Wenling, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Wednesday, Xi'an has 9 high-risk and 10 medium-risk areas.

Since December last year, Omicron has become the dominant variant in the world. The World Health Organization designated four Omicron subvariants of BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2 as variants of concern on May 18.