Why it matters: The virus continues to evolve, with genealogies BA.4 and BA.5 accounting for the largest proportion of approximately 105,000 new daily cases.
Lines BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 that dominated the disease map this spring now account for about 78% of cases. New genealogies are not associated with a more serious illness. But it is believed that antibodies from previous Omicron infections can be avoided.
Go deeper: Overall cases continue to decline in the Northeast, but increased elsewhere last week. The regional mix is now 30% South, 29% West, 22% Northeast and 20% Midwest, per Evercore ISI.
The updated data is almost certainly underestimated because many home test results are not reported.
Looking ahead: Changes in the variant mix will provide more food for the FDA’s external advisers, who will meet later this month to assess how to update and possibly select COVID vaccines this fall.
