The COVID-19 pandemic may be far from over, as what may be its most infectious and transmissible variant so far has now been identified. It is called BA.5, an Omicron variant, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that this new variant, along with BA.4, has caused a surge in new cases of COVID-19.

The WHO warned that the virus is still going strong with these two new Omicron variants. According to CNN, there was a 30% surge in new cases over the past fortnight. This fuels fears of new lockdown measures and travel restrictions in many countries.

Should We Fear the New BA.5 Subvariant?

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the two new Omicron subvariants make up the majority of cases in the United States. About 54% of COVID cases in the country are BA.4, while nearly 17% were infected with BA.5 as of July 2. However, the number of infections for BA.5 now comprises up to 65% of the total cases.

NBC News reported that these two new subvariants are three times less sensitive to neutralizing antibodies that come from the COVID-19 vaccines than the original Omicron variant. However, additional research has shown that these two may be four times more resistant than the previously-widespread BA.2. It is spreading so fast that the European Medicines Agency said that it is likely to replace all other variants "by the end of July." In addition, the agency also reported that there is an increase in the older age groups, which are the most at risk.

Like most COVID-19 variants and subvariants, the symptoms for both BA.4 and BA.5 include fever, sore throat, headaches, runny nose, persistent coughing, and fatigue.

However, while infections are certainly up, people who have had vaccinations and boosters are still less likely to end up in the ICU. And while highly contagious and can still be deadly, the BA.5 subvariant is not really that severe in terms of hospitalization.

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Anthony Fauci Warns That Vaccines May Not Be Enough

In a White House press briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned the public to be wary about the BA.5 subvariant. He said that each of Omicron's new subvariants is becoming more transmissible and more resistant to the antibodies provided by vaccines.

Fauci, who had been laying low since testing positive last month, has returned as this new subvariant has made cases surge again. Yahoo! News reported that he acknowledged that the Omicron subvariants will continue to appear as long as the virus spreads unchecked.

He explained that those who have been infected with previous omicron subvariants will not have much protection either. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky agreed with Fauci, saying, "People with prior infection, even with BA.1 or BA.2, are likely still at risk for BA.4 or BA.5."

Experts agreed that this new variant, while it does not have greater disease severity, is still a serious matter as it is more contagious than all previous Omicron variants. Doctors still recommend wearing masks to help stem the spread, as well as getting vaccines and boosters to prevent serious illness. 

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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