ST. LOUIS – A new subvariant of COVID-19 has been detected in St. Louis County. The St. Louis County Health Department says it is keeping an eye on the spread of the sub-variant of Omicron known as BA.2.

The county health department is keeping an eye on the increase of cases from this sub-variant in Europe.

The BA.2 sub-variant has been detected in Missouri by the state’s sewer shed surveillance program. The state also has confirmed some cases in St. Louis County have been caused by the sub-variant.

Earlier indicators show that it is more transmissible than the Omicron variant. Officials say vaccination and prior infection with Omicron seems to protect people against the new sub-variant.

St. Louis County officials say they don’t know yet if BA.2 will cause another wave in the St. Louis region, but know existing COVID-19 vaccines work to reduce the risk of severe illness of the sub-variant.

St. Louis County is currently in the CDC’s Low COIVD-19 Community Level. The county is averaging 50 new cases a day.

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is recommending residents get vaccinated, boosted, and test if they have symptoms or have been exposed to someone that has tested positive. You can learn more about vaccination and testing at ReviveSTL.com.