The Federal Consumer Protection Agency in Russia has announced the first case of the new Omicron variant XBB.1.5, dubbed "Kraken," in Penza region. The agency stated: "The first case of the sub-lineage XBB.1.5 of the Omicron variant, which is highly contagious and called 'Kraken,' has been recorded in the Penza region during a genomic sequencing monitoring program for the novel coronavirus."
The agency notes that currently, a wide range of sub-variants of Omicron has been recorded in Russia, but the variant BA.5 remains the most prevalent. The "Delta" variant, which spread widely in the second half of 2021, has been identified in a few cases in the fall of 2022. No cases of other variants have been reported. It was previously announced that the new variant "Kraken" is highly contagious, but the course of the disease is mild.
