Division of Geriatric Medicine

Department of Medicine

Infectious disease specialist Tim Lahey, M.D., M.M.Sc., professor of medicine

(JANUARY 3, 2023) Infectious disease specialist Tim Lahey, M.D., M.M.Sc., professor of medicine, was quoted in a story on WVNY-TV ABC22 about the latest COVID variant spreading in Vermont and New Hampshire.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the XBB.1.5 variant has been spreading since the end of November and is now making up about 40 percent of nationwide cases. In the Northeast region, which includes Vermont and New Hampshire, the new subvariant makes up about 75 percent of recorded cases. The Vermont Department of Health says it detected the XBB variant at low levels, according to data collected between December 18 and December 24.

“Whenever a variant becomes the predominant variant in a region replacing some other prior version, you know that that variant therefore has to be pretty contagious,” Lahey said. “The emergence of a new variant is not something I want people to be overly concerned about. It’s expected. More variants are going to come after this one.”

According to Lahey, officials don’t know if XBB makes people any more susceptible to developing severe diseases, but early information suggests the variant is less likely to respond to synthetic antibodies used to treat COVID-19. Lahey also added it’s important to pay attention to the transmission levels in your community, and he urges everyone to wear a mask and stay up to date on vaccines.