New Omicron variant detected in China, but will not spark widespread transmission in short term

China has detected 24 imported COVID-19 cases of the new Omicron variant CH.1.1 and its offshoots as of Monday, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday evening, adding that the strain will not spark widespread transmission in the short term.

No domestic cases of the strain have been reported so far, it said.

The variant is more immune evasive and transmissible than other variants, but there is no evidence pointing to stronger pathogenicity, the Chinese CDC said.

Because most people in China now harbor high levels of neutralizing antibodies that can protect them against CH.1.1, the strain will not spark widespread transmission in the short term, the center said.