NCIPD has successfully analyzed 86 clinical samples with SARS-CoV-2 by next-generation whole genome sequencing. The samples were collected from patients with COVID-19 between 11.09-12.10.2022 and were sent from 14 different medical institutions in 13 districts of the country.

For the first time in Bulgaria, variants BQ.1.1 and BM.1.1, which are sub-variants of Omicron, have been identified.

There is evidence that antibodies active against other variants of SARS-CoV-2 are less effective against BQ.1.1. There is currently no clinical evidence of a more severe course of the disease caused by BQ.1.1. and BM.1.1.

The Omicron variant was detected in all 86 clinical samples and the proportion was as follows: BA.4.6.1 (1.2%), BA.5.x (70.9%), BE.x/BF.x, which are a sub-variant of BA.5 (25.6%), BM.1.1 (1.2%) and BQ.1.1 (1.2%).