Rospotrebnadzor in a meeting with Kamil Khafizov, head of the scientific group responsible for the development of new diagnostic methods based on sequencing technologies TASS reported that the “omicron” BA.4 and BA.5 lines were more infectious than previous variants of the strain.
According to him, these lines of infection can partially escape immune defenses.
“Several recently published studies have shown that variants of the virus, known as BA.4 and BA.5, are slightly more contagious than the early omicron forms and may recover some of the immune protection provided by previous coronavirus infection or vaccine.” I said Khafizov.
The expert explained that these coronavirus variants are closely related to the “hidden omycron” (BA.2) and carry two additional key mutations that help them better evade virus-blocking antibodies and increase the infectivity of the pathogen.
Khafizov noted that up to 75% of all new coronavirus infections in South Africa are caused by these variants.
As for the other branch of “Omicron” BA.2.12.1, its share is growing rapidly in North America and is expected to become dominant in the United States,” said the Rospotrebnadzor expert.
Formerly Khafizov declarationHe said the delta strain of the coronavirus could return to the Russian Federation as immunity is gradually weakening.
Source: Gazeta
