Towards the end of 2021, Omicron developed a number of separate lineages. However, scientists were not surprised by this mutation, as it is common for viruses to do so. Before Omicron had taken over as the dominant strain in the world, Delta had split into over 200 sub variants.
Fortunately, most of the strains are very similar to the original variant, meaning that they made no extra impact on severity or immunity.
Public health officials have repeatedly advised Covid booster jabs offer the best protection against Omicron and are the best chance of getting through the pandemic.
The main Omicron variant, dubbed B.1.1.529, had later developed into two mutant strains.
This first of which, BA.1 became super transmissible and spread to 171 countries, causing a new set of public health restrictions to be enforced around the world.
Now, WHO has logged BA.2 and BA.3 as new sub-variants of Omicron.
Case rates for BA.3 remain low, and for BA.2 has been found in 426 cases of BA.2 found in England since December 6, with London top of the table with 146.
It is not known where BA.2 first originated. So far, 40 countries have uploaded more than 8,000 BA.2 sequences since mid-November.
The first sequences were submitted from the Philippines and the highest number of samples have been uploaded from Denmark, where 6,411 cases have been found by Friday.
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Other countries that have uploaded more than 100 samples are India (530), Sweden (181), and Singapore (127).
At the present moment, scientists have not conclusively found that sub-variant BA.2 is more severe than the original strain of Omicron.
In Denmark, this strain consisted of about half of all Omicron cases. However, initial studies from the country suggest there is no increased risk of hospitalisation.
It is also thought that the current vaccines are effective against the BA.2 strain in fighting severe illness, according to Danish health officials.
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Other countries that have uploaded more than 100 samples are India (530), Sweden (181), and Singapore (127).
At the present moment, scientists have not conclusively found that sub-variant BA.2 is more severe than the original strain of Omicron.
In Denmark, this strain consisted of about half of all Omicron cases. However, initial studies from the country suggest there is no increased risk of hospitalisation.
It is also thought that the current vaccines are effective against the BA.2 strain in fighting severe illness, according to Danish health officials.