The BA.5 Omicron subvariant is dominating now and accounts for 65% – or about two-thirds – of the virus causing COVID-19 in the United States, federal officials said on Tuesday. Although no evidence yet points to BA.5 causing more severe disease, hospitalization numbers are up in the past few months and case numbers are on the rise with this highly transmissible strain of the virus.
President Joe Biden wasn’t supposed to shake hands with foreign leaders during his trip to the Middle East this week, a precaution against catching Covid-19 that would also help avoid a politically awkward greeting with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman.