Safe adaptation of the “wise descendants” of Omicron

The culprit this time is the “descendant” of BA.2 – Omicron: BA.2.12.1. Two other branches that spread even faster, BA.4 and BA.5, have accounted for nearly 60% of Covid-19 cases in the new wave in South Africa. BA.4 and BA.5 have also appeared in the US and 15 other countries.

According to the radio CNNan officially unpublished study in South Africa found that the ability for BA.4 and BA.5 to come mainly from immune escape, caused those infected with Omicron’s first subtype – BA.1 – re-infection is quite easy.

People who have had a “breakthrough infection” of BA.1 (post-vaccination infection) can still get it again, albeit at a lower rate. The good news is that no difference in the virulence of these new strains has been recorded compared to the original Omicron.

A delivery man places his belongings in a disinfection chamber in Shanghai. Photo: REUTERS

According to professor of molecular microbiology and immunology Andy Pekosz of John Hopkins University (USA), this virus “mutates slowly, selecting for itself good mutations, which come and come again”.

Health authorities in other countries are still choosing safe adaptation solutions, focusing on researching antiviral drugs and improving vaccines against new strains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just recommended that people still wear masks in public indoor spaces.

Although China has not yet recorded new sub-lines, it still persists in pursuing the “zero-Covid” policy. According to ReutersMost of Shanghai is still “freezing” after recording 63 new Covid-19 cases outside the blockade area, but there are plans to “give the green light” for some production activities.

Beijing has reactivated makeshift hospitals, temporarily shutting down some subway stations and bus routes in parallel with a second round of large-scale testing in 12/16 counties.