Omicron’s BA.2.75 ‘Centaurus’ subvariant is beating out BA.5 in India—and scientists say it ‘may prevail’ elsewhere

The only Omicron sub-variant with its own name may become the next globally dominant strain of COVID-19. The so-called Centaurus strain, which is scientifically known as BA. 2. 75, has quickly become India's dominant strain of COVID-19 in recent weeks and now accounts for roughly two-thirds of India's new cases, according to Shahid Jameel, a virologist at the University of Oxford. A Twitter user named Xabier Ostale gave BA. 2. 75 the unofficial name Centaurus in July, saying he named the strain after the galaxy, and it has taken off among some experts and media outlets.