Key Changes and Insights Since Previous Report:

  • On April 17th, India reported over 9,000 new COVID-19 cases prompting some parts of the country to reintroduce mask mandates.

  • The XBB.1.16 variant now accounts for roughly 7.2% of sequenced COVID-19 cases in the United States.

  • The World Health Organization’s technical advisory group on COVID vaccine composition met in March to review the performance of updated COVID-19 vaccines. The group released a statement saying that the updated vaccines that contain either BA.1 or BA.4/5 provide better protection than vaccines that contain only the original virus.

  • The FDA authorized a second bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for seniors ages 65+ and those with compromised immune systems.