An Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariant BA.2.76 in an Outdoor Park - Chongqing Municipality, China, August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron subvariant has a stronger transmission capacity and faster transmission speed than the previous strain.

The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariant BA.2.76 who caused local transmission was reported in Chongqing Municipality on August 16, 2022. For 35 minutes, the Patient Zero jogged along a lake at a local park without wearing a mask. Among the 2,836 people potentially exposed at the time, 39 tested positive. Overall, 38 out of 39 cases did not wear a mask on the morning of August 16. All 39 cases lacked any previous exposure to the variant before testing positive on their nucleic acid test.

It is essential to maintain personal wellbeing by ensuring one maintains personal protection and follows regulated guidelines such as maintaining safe distances from others both indoors and outdoors.