Omicrons include HV.1. “You can almost think of HV.1 as a grandchild of omicron,” Schaffner adds. The CDC's SARS-CoV-2 lineage tree places HV.1 as a sublineage of omicron XBB.1.9.2 and a direct descendant of EG.5.
COVIDs prefer to mutate. All of us know that "says Schaffner. Schaffner says HV.1 is mutated but similar to omicron subvariants. Experts are mostly unconcerned about emerging strains like HV.1, which resemble previous strains.
However, a few significantly altered variants have raised concerns. These include BA.2.86 or Pirola, which has 36 more mutations than XBB.1.5, and JN.1, a newer variety with one additional mutation.
HV.1, discovered this summer, gathered momentum quickly. CDC statistics suggest 0.5% of U.S. COVID-19 infections were HV.1 in late July. By September 30, 12.5% of cases were HV.1, and by November, it dominated.
HV.1 may possibly be somewhat better at evading earlier COVID-19 immunization, but not enough to warrant concern.
The symptoms caused by infection with HV.1 are similar to those caused by recent variants, says Schaffner, which include:
Sore throat Congestion or stuffiness Runny nose Cough Fatigue Headache Muscle aches Fever or chills