Scientists around the world have been anxiously analyzing the evolution of evolution for weeks. two new sub-variants omicron. Experts warn that they could turn a new leaf in this endless pandemic. So-called BA.4 and BA.5 are even more contagious than the original mutation, although the severity of their effects appears to be similar and has caused so far. infections rose again South Africacountry where the penultimate phase of the health emergency began, which at the beginning of the year marked unknown incidence levels in Europe and North America.
coronavirus cases South Africa has tripled in the last week and hospital admissions are accelerating. It is too early to know if what happened a few months ago can now be repeated and what is here is a replica of what was there before. But one thing is starting to become clear: The new sublineages that are already appearing in Spain and other European countries show how the virus originated, though it has little presence at the moment. now evolves differently due to higher immunity percentageswhether it came from vaccines or previous infections.
So far, the scientific consensus has shown that every new wave of the pandemic is caused by a new variant, but this time it just might be the cause. some changes in omicron. A few days ago, South African scientists published a study in which they analyzed samples from 39 people who had this mutation at the end of last year. The study concluded that two new sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5, have the ability to evade antibodies of those with omicron as well as those who have also been vaccinated, to a lesser extent.
According to preliminary results, “most covid-19 may develop differently. and not needing a new variant to cause a new wave of infections,” he said. “We are all tired of this virus, but the virus is not tired of us,” the scientist said.
the beginning of the wave
The African country is already assuming it may be facing the start of a new wave much earlier than authorities currently anticipate, and omicron mutations are already close to being the dominant ones among its population. The latest events, with cases multiplying in just seven days, many similarities with what happened at the end of the yearwhen this variant arrived in Europe and broke transmission records there.
The new subvariants have even greater transmission capacity than the original mutation, as well as BA.2, which was originally called “silent”, with the majority in Spain already showing signs of mutating, according to experts. the beginning of the seventh wave, partly due to the relaxation of measures such as the requirement to wear masks in closed areas. The latest data from the Department of Health show that the accumulated incidence in the last 14 days has increased by almost 50% in the last month and has already reached 676 cases per 100,000 people, a level considered very high risk relative to US indicators. Department.
But experts insist that the most recent past does not have to predict what will happen in the near future. There are two main differences with the situation in South Africa. On the one hand, the weather factor. As the southern country enters its winter, temperatures are rising in Spain, which means: More and more meetings are held abroadwhere infections are less frequent. On the other hand, the extension of vaccinations. Only a third of residents there received two doses and only 1% received a booster, where more than 85% of the population received the full regimen and 52% received the third dose.
Source: Informacion
