According to different media outlets, experts of that city’s Center of Disease Control and Prevention called that mutation VOC/Omicron BA.1.1 after failing to find in the database any similarities with other ones previously detected in the world.

They said that it will take some time to analyze it, collect samples and see how it manifests before determining if it is more contagious or is less effective of vaccines and antiviral drugs against it.

The Chinese press reported this discovery is a major threat as Suzhou borders Shanghai, where Omicron continues to spread and has infected over 60,000 people in the past few days, most of whom were asymptomatic.

Due to the complex scenario in Shanghai, the government extended the lockdown of the entire municipality until further notice. It also ran PCR and antigen tests on the 25 million inhabitants between yesterday and today, and deployed over 38,000 military and civilian physicians from 15 provinces.

On the other hand, Beijing has been also mobilized after reporting 10 new cases related to three infected sites.

Its authorities warned the capital’s residents to avoid unnecessary trips, dinners in groups and crowded places.

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