The overarching impact of vaccination, boosting and natural immunity from infection is that hospitalization numbers are now as low, if not lower than, right before last July’s delta wave, Georgia Department of Health epidemiologist Dr. Cherie Drenzek said. 

The vaccines now in use are based on the form of the virus that circulated at the beginning of the pandemic and are less effective against the omicron variant. New options are in the works.

The rise of the more infectious BA.2 variant in the U.S. — plus signals in the sewage — also point to a possible uptick in cases, and have health officials on alert.

Sub-variant BA-2 is like a cousin of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant, but this one probably won't get a Greek letter name. 

The omicron BA.2 variant spreads about 30% more easily and has caused surges in other countries. Its steady increase in the U.S. raises questions about the wisdom of rolling back COVID restrictions.

It's a sibling of the first omicron variant that swept the world. Is it more contagious? Does it cause severe disease? Will it keep current omicron surges going? Researchers are looking for answers.