<p>The BA.2 variant of the Omicron coronavirus strain is not more severe than the original, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.</p>.<p>Based on a sample of people from various countries, "we are not seeing a difference in the severity of BA.1 compared to BA.2," Maria Van Kerkhove, a senior WHO official, said in an online question and answer session.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/us-expert-wants-ba2-strain-of-omicron-variant-declared-a-variant-of-concern-1083617.html">US expert wants BA.2 strain of Omicron variant declared a 'variant of concern' </a></strong></p>.<p>"So this is a similar level of severity as it relates to the risk of hospitalisation. And this is really important because, in many countries, they've had a substantial amount of circulation, both of BA.1 and BA.2," she said.</p>.<p>Van Kerkhove, who leads the technical side of the WHO's Covid-19 response team, was reporting the findings of a committee of experts tracking the evolution of the virus.</p>.<p>Their conclusions will come as a relief to countries such as Denmark, where the BA.2 variant of Omicron has circulated widely.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>The BA.2 variant of the Omicron coronavirus strain is not more severe than the original, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.</p>.<p>Based on a sample of people from various countries, "we are not seeing a difference in the severity of BA.1 compared to BA.2," Maria Van Kerkhove, a senior WHO official, said in an online question and answer session.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/us-expert-wants-ba2-strain-of-omicron-variant-declared-a-variant-of-concern-1083617.html">US expert wants BA.2 strain of Omicron variant declared a 'variant of concern' </a></strong></p>.<p>"So this is a similar level of severity as it relates to the risk of hospitalisation. And this is really important because, in many countries, they've had a substantial amount of circulation, both of BA.1 and BA.2," she said.</p>.<p>Van Kerkhove, who leads the technical side of the WHO's Covid-19 response team, was reporting the findings of a committee of experts tracking the evolution of the virus.</p>.<p>Their conclusions will come as a relief to countries such as Denmark, where the BA.2 variant of Omicron has circulated widely.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>