In a press briefing in late March, Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff addressed the spread of the Omicron BA.2 sub-variant that is now spreading in China and Europe. While the sub-variant seems to be more contagious than the initial Omicron variant that swept through Ohio in January, it does not appear to result in more severe infections, Vanderhoff said. Furthermore, data suggest that a previous infection of BA.1 or a complete vaccination against COVID-19 provides good protection against BA.2, meaning another Omicron surge is unlikely.