Although the subvariant has overtaken BA.1 in the U.S., cases still remain low nationally.
Murray said he expects BA.2 to remain at low levels in the U.S. for at least a few more months as the weather gets warmer.
It's still possible cases could spike in the U.S. because of the subvariant, although the spread may be limited to certain areas of the country. But any rise in Covid cases can be consequential."People are still going to get sick, some people are going to land in the hospital, and some people are going to die, whether it’s a big wave or a small wave," Bogoch said.
U.S. officials appear to be looking toward the fall, as well: Dr. Peter Marks, the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine regulator, suggested last week that the agency could authorize yet another booster shot for vulnerable people later this year.
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