The number of COVID-19 cases related to Omicron variant has started to reduce but it doesn’t mean that things are back to normal as fear from subvaraints of Omicron continues to exist. The World Health Organization had classified Omicron as the variant of concer. While cases related to it are on the downfall, its mutated version known as BA.2 has become the latest challenge.
This subvariant has been detected in more than 57 countries. Scientists and researchers have noticed that it is spreading faster than the original variant. But the positive sign is that it has so far not caused severe disease and booster shots remain an effective shield. Reserchers and scientists are racing to answer several questions related to this variant.
How transmissible is this subvariant?
Omicron is causing less serious illness in comparision to previous variants like Delta and others. But it became a cause of concern becuase of the speed with which it spread. Similarly, the subvariant BA.2 doesn’t seem more severe than the original omicron variant. For example in Denmark, where its spread hadn’t led to unexpected spikes in the number of cases of hospitalizations. The Danish government last month declared that the disease no longer poses a threat to society.
How effective vaccines are?
According to data available so far, it is certain that COVID-19 vaccines are less effective at preventing infections caused by Omicron than previous variants. However, they are doing a good job of protecting against severe disease. Despite COVID-19 subvariants being more contagious, booster shots are as effective against BA.2. According to initial findings from UK health authorities, vaccines blocked 13 per cent of cases after 25 weeks of the second dose. This rate increased to 70 per cent two weeks after a booster.
