‘Stealth’ Omicron Variant Is Behind Major Hong Kong Outbreak
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After avoiding Covid for months, Hong Kong is grappling with an outbreak caused by a novel twist on omicron that’s rare -- but on the rise -- throughout the world.
More than 200 people have been infected with the ‘stealth’ variant, which has been traced back to a traveler infected by the strain during a 21-day hotel quarantine, according to the government. It’s one of the largest outbreaks in the city, which has taken increasingly drastic steps to stamp out the disease -- from locking down thousands of residents, banning flights from countries including the U.S. and U.K., to killing thousands of hamsters after some of the pets tested positive.