Data Report

SUMMARY - XBB.2.3 is a possible successor to XBB.1.16. In the United States, XBB.1.5 is still the dominant strain as of the writing of this summary. However, XBB.1.16 is gaining ground in the United States as the influence of XBB.1.5 wanes. XBB.1.16 is already dominant in India and elsewhere in the world.

What makes XBB.2.3 and it's sublineages (such as XBB.2.3.4 & XBB.2.3.5) contenders to replace XBB.1.16 and other Covid-19 variants is that they continue to make additions to their spike protein which helps it evade the immune system. For now, it is not known if these additions also make the virus more lethal.

LINK - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/xbb-2-3-sublineage-under-experts-lens-as-caseload-increases-in-india/articleshow/99477729.cms