ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A second omicron variant of the coronavirus — BA 2 — is beginning to circulate and is reported to be even more contagious than the original omicron by some health officials.

“As the omicron surge continues to decline in the U.S., infectious disease experts are keeping a close eye on an even more contagious version of the variant that could once again foil the nation’s hopes of getting back to normal,” according to a report from NPR.org.

It’s not clear, though, if it will cause widespread infections as the original omicron did. And though local officials are cautious, they said they are not overly concerned at this point.

“Their numbers have been surging and they are taking measures,” Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said of the uptick reported in some European countries. “We have to see how effective they are in preventing it from reaching our shores.”

Since last week, Belmont County has recorded 35 new cases of COVID, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Harrison County Health Administrator Garen Rhome said via text that the BA.2 omicron variant “is about 25% of cases nationwide, and that percentage will likely increase.”

“There’s nothing particularly alarming though, as BA.2 infections, at this time, don’t appear to be more severe than current omicron infections,” he said.

Rhome added his county experienced just three new COVID cases in the past week.

Jefferson County Health Commissioner Andrew Henry said new cases there have amounted to about 10 since last week.

“So, ODH (Ohio Department of Health) has changed their reporting mechanism from a daily to a weekly report out,” he said.

The switch aims to prevent sending mixed signals. New local reporting will be released on Thursdays to be in line with ODH’s reporting.