Omicron BQ Covid variants, which threaten people with compromised immune systems, are now dominant in U.S.

Omicron BQ Covid variants, which threaten people with compromised immune systems, are now dominant in U.S. The BQ coronavirus subvariants are likely resistant to key antibody medications used by people with compromised immune systems. Spencer Kimball CNBC

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Q.1 and BQ.1.1 are causing 57% of new infections in the U.S., according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday. The omicron BA.5 subvariant, once dominant, now makes up only a fifth of new Covid cases.

The BQ subvariants are more immune evasive and likely resistant to key antibody medications, such as Evusheld and bebtelovimab, used by people with compromised immune systems, according to the National Institutes of Health. This includes organ transplant and cancer chemotherapy patients.

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