CDC: XBB.1.5 Grows in U.S. as COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline

 CDC: XBB.1.5 Grows in U.S. as COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Decline

XBB.1.5 is the only omicron subvariant increasing in the U.S., but COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the decline.

A sign reminds visitors and staff of social distancing and mask requirements at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, April 14, 2022, in Orange, Calif    (PAUL BERSEBACH/MEDIANEWS GROUP/ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/GETTY IMAGES)

The highly contagious omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is spreading in the U.S. while COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the decline, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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XBB.1.5 was responsible for 49% of new coronavirus infections this week, according to CDC estimates. That’s up from 37% of cases last week, when the strain surpassed BQ.1.1 to become the top strain circulating in the U.S.

XBB.1.5, which has been called the most transmissible subvariant yet, is the only strain that is increasing in prevalence in the U.S., setting it up to dominate the variant scene in the coming weeks.

Experts have voiced concerns about XBB.1.5, including the World Health Organization warning that it “may contribute to increases in case incidence globally.”

But in the U.S., weekly coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are on the decline.

The U.S. reported over 330,000 cases the week ending in Jan. 18. That’s down from nearly 500,000 weekly cases about a month ago.

COVID-19 hospitalizations also decreased this week, with the seven-day average of new patients with coronavirus dropping from over 5,800 two weeks ago to about 4,800 the week ending Jan. 17.

COVID-19 transmission is considered “high” across most of the U.S., according to CDC data. But under the agency’s “community level” guidance, which diverges from transmission levels, Americans in just 6% of counties should be masking while indoors.

WHO, on the other hand, amended its masking guidance last week to recommend that everyone wear masks in crowded spaces “irrespective of the local epidemiological situation, given the current spread of the COVID-19 globally.”