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Subvariant BA.2 does not cause more severe illness than BA.1
Omicron is the dominant COVID-19 variant worldwide, and its subvariant, BA.2, is now the dominant strain in nearly seven dozen countries. A research team led by UW–Madison virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka found that the BA.2 subvariant of omicron is similar to BA.1 in both the severity of illness it causes and in its ability to cause infection.
"I like to talk about general principles so students can go back and advocate—to their parents, to their neighbors, to whomever—that science is important."
— Biochemistry professor Paul Friesen, on teaching students to understand "the what" and "the why" of diseases and disease prevention. Friesen is one of the many UW–Madison biochemistry faculty working to advance greater understanding of COVID-19 and ways to prevent the disease from spreading.
Ajay Sethi, associate professor of population health sciences in the School of Medicine and Public Health speaks to students about the epidemiology of infectious diseases.
Hear from Our Experts
UW in the News
MarketWatch: It’s impossible to determine your personal COVID-19 risks–but you can still take action
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WisBusiness: COVID-19 subvariants compared
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COVID Questions
Send us your questions about COVID-19. Answers will appear in future newsletters and will be regularly updated on news.wisc.edu.
COVID Research Roundup
Since the start of the pandemic, UW–Madison Department of Biochemistry scientists have pivoted their existing research projects, launched entirely new studies, and banded together to share knowledge and resources. These are just a few of their extraordinary feats.
Your immune system’s T cells—white blood cells that eliminate viral invaders—may offer protection from COVID-19 even when vaccine-induced antibodies no longer can, according to a new study out of the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dairy research that was developed to increase exports became very useful during the COVID pandemic, especially for cheese lovers.
Members of the Madison community enjoy a warm summer evening at the Memorial Union Terrace.
On Campus
Summer testing: PCR and antigen testing continues to be offered at no cost to students and employees. During the summer, PCR testing and antigen test kit pick-up will move to the ground floor of 333 East Campus Mall.
