New Variant Dominates Decreasing COVID-19 Pandemic

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced updated Omicron variant proportion estimates.

As of March 11, 2023, the CDC reported the XBB.1.5 SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variant makes up nearly 90% of new cases in the U.S.

This is an increase from the 87% reported last week.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19, is constantly changing and accumulating mutations in its genetic code over time, says the CDC.

And given the diminished activity, the CDC now provides updated variant proportions for weighted estimates and Nowcast estimates every week on Friday.

The CDC also confirmed the number of COVID-19 cases and related fatalities continued to decrease since a peak in early January 2023.