Review: The new subtype of the Omicron strain spreads the speed of the new coronavirus mutation in the United States has not slowed down
Xinhua News Agency reporter Tan Jingjing
The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that although the subtype BA.2 of the mutated new coronavirus Omicron strain is still the main circulating strain in the United States, another new subtype BA.2.12.1 caused infection cases is rising rapidly. Epidemiological experts said that the rate of mutation of the new coronavirus has not slowed down, and as the mutation continues, its infectiousness may continue to increase.
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the week ended April 23, infections caused by BA.2.12.1 accounted for nearly 30% of the total number of confirmed cases in the United States. In some areas in the northeast, BA.2.12.1 has surpassed BA.2 as the main circulating strain.
Rochelle Warrenski, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said recently that BA.2.12.1 may be 25% stronger than BA.2. Its impact on the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine is currently being studied. At the same time, Warrensky said that experts believe that people who have been vaccinated against the new crown, especially those who have received booster shots, can still obtain better protection against severe illness even in the face of BA.2.12.1.
Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said the new coronavirus has mutated much faster and more widely than initially thought.
The Washington Post recently reported that new subtypes of the Omicron strain are still emerging. Scientists in South Africa have discovered strains of the BA.4 and BA.5 subtypes, which have mutations found in earlier mutated viruses and which can “escape” immunity that people acquire from vaccines or previous infections. The researchers believe that BA.4 and BA.5 have the potential to lead to “new waves of infection.”
The weekly epidemic report released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 29 said that in the week ended April 27, the average daily increase in confirmed cases in the United States increased by 25.2% compared with the previous week, and the daily increase in hospitalized cases increased by 18.5% compared with the previous week. Deaths fell 5.3% from the previous week.
Experts emphasize that vaccination and booster shots are still the best way to prevent infection. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 66.2% of the US population has completed the full course of the new crown vaccination, but only about half of the population who have completed the vaccination received booster shots.
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Responsible editor: Zhang Hengxing SF142