Evolution happens at an extraordinary rate when you are a piece of genetic code covered with a protein layer. It didn’t take long for Omicron to beat one of the advantages we had against him, too. Due to the newly discovered variant of COVID-19 and its ability to partially evade PCR tests, its sibling, dubbed the “hidden Omicron,” prompted researchers to split the strain into two.
“Omicron has two lineages. These are called BA. 1 and BA. 2. These two lineages can behave differently from one another,” says Professor Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute.
When the Omicron variant was first discovered late last month, researchers noticed that it was missing one of its three gene markers, specifically the S gene used by commercial coronavirus test kits. “We are able to detect Omicron very quickly. This will make it easier for us to monitor and understand the spread,” said Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa at the time.
But the new sibling, BA. 2 is not missing the S gene, so it cannot be detected with a simple PCR test. There’s no need to panic though. At least PCR tests continue to show that the person has COVID-19. Omicron BA only. Cannot distinguish between 2 and Delta variant.
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