A variant of the coronavirus strain Omicron XBB.1.5, also known as Kraken, has been confirmed in four regions of Ukraine, the Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health has said.
"Thanks to sequencing, we confirm that the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant is already circulating in four regions: Sumy, where the first patient was, Transcarpathian, Ternopil, and Odesa," said Iryna Demchyshyna, head of the reference laboratory for the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, viral and especially dangerous pathogens at the Public Health Centre.
The Public Health Centre notes that this development was predictable, as each new coronavirus mutation replaces the previous one.
It warned that although Omicron itself is easier to tolerate, it has the ability to be transmitted faster. Currently, a special vaccine against the Omicron strain is available in Ukraine. It is not necessary to have a declaration with a family doctor to get vaccinated.