2 Cases Of Omicron Subvariant ‘Centaurus’ Found In S’pore, They Recently Returned From India

Omicron Subvariant BA.2.75 Nicknamed ‘Centaurus’ Reaches Singapore, Both Cases Recovered

Since Covid-19 started in 2020, it’s mutated faster than we can keep up with, spawning numerous variants.

The Omicron variant appears to be the peskiest — instead of leaving, it has ensured its longevity by giving rise to subvariants.

Given Singapore’s reopened borders, these will inevitably arrive here sooner or later.

The latest subvariant to come to our shores is the subvariant BA.2.75, nicknamed “Centaurus”.

Two cases have been found here, both of whom recently returned from India.

Both subvariant Centaurus cases are imported

As of Thursday (14 Jul), two imported cases of subvariant Centaurus have been confirmed, the Ministry of Health (MOH) told The Straits Times (ST).

Both of them had recently returned to Singapore from India.

Upon testing positive for Covid-19, they’d immediately self-isolated, MOH added.

They have now fully recovered from the virus.

Subvariant Centaurus under monitoring

Amid the likely alarm caused by the discovery, MOH noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) had designated the Centaurus subvariant as an Omicron subvariant under monitoring.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also classified it as such on 7 Jul, according to The Guardian.

This means there’s some indication that it could be more transmissible or associated with more severe disease.

However, the current evidence is weak or hasn’t yet been assessed.

MOH added that no evidence exists showing that Centaurus is more virulent or severe than other Omicron subvariants.

Subvariant Centaurus first detected in India

Centaurus was first detected in India in May.

Since then, it has spread to about 10 other countries, including:

1. United Kingdom (UK)
2. United States (US)
3. Australia
4. Germany
5. Canada

Now, Singapore is also one of these countries.

Other Omicron subvariants in Singapore

Considering Singapore is currently in the midst of another Omicron wave, Centaurus certainly isn’t the first subvariant to emerge here.

In April, MOH confirmed the presence of two cases of subvariant BA.2.12.1.

Months later, the surge in community cases was said to be fuelled by subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

By 27 Jun, 45% of community cases over the past week were due to the new subvariants.

Most recently, the emergence of subvariant BA.5.2.1 in Shanghai has also caused concern.

Too soon to fret?

While they seem to be increasing in transmissibility, it remains to be seen whether any of the above subvariants – including Centaurus – will differ in severity.

Thus, it may be too soon to start fretting over the possible impact it will have here, though it’s understandable that we don’t want our hard-won efforts to be wiped out once again.

At least we now have experience that allows us to be prepared for new mutations and react accordingly.

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Featured image adapted from MS News.