Omicron BA.5 variants promote COVID reinfection throughout the United StatesExBulletin

Shoppers will walk around the Farmers Market in Portland, Oregon in May. Due to the number of operating cases of the BA.5 variant, public health experts encourage people to take precautions.

The Washington Post via Rianash / Getty Images

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The Washington Post via Rianash / Getty Images

Shoppers will walk around the Farmers Market in Portland, Oregon in May. Due to the number of operating cases of the BA.5 variant, public health experts encourage people to take precautions.

The Washington Post via Rianash / Getty Images

For most of the pandemic, the only silver lining that occurred in the COVID-19 case was that it would not catch it again for some time (although there is no exact definitive answer). How long does immunity usually last for that period?).

However, as another Omicron subvariant dominates the United States, more and more people appear to be infected with the virus relatively quickly and continuously.

The BA.5 variant is currently the most predominant COVID-19 strain in the country. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.. Also, given the number of people undergoing rapid diagnostic tests at home, it is difficult to know the exact number, but there are signs that both reinfection and hospitalization are increasing.

Example: About 31,000 people in the United States Currently in hospital With the virus, hospitalization increased by 4.5% compared to a week ago.And the data From New York Shows that reinfection is on the rise again in late June.

Dr. Bob Wachter, director of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said BA.5 was highly infectious and was able to at least partially avoid some of the immunity from previous infections and vaccinations.

“Not only is it highly infectious, but previous immunity is less important than it used to be,” he explains. “And that means the old man saw,” I had COVID a month ago, so I have a superpower of COVID immunity, so I’m not going to get it again. ” To do.

So how much do you need to worry, especially if you are vaccinated and have precautions such as wearing a mask in the crowd? This is what some public health professionals are doing about the recent surge.

Is BA.5 more dangerous?

So far, there is no evidence that this variant causes more serious illness. Also, according to infectious disease experts, the impact of BA.5 may not be on the scale of the surge seen last winter, despite the rise in new infectious diseases.

An average of about 300 people die each day in the United States, compared to 3,000 last winter. Dr. Anna Darvin, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, states that the previous combination of infection and vaccination remains protective and COVID-19 treatment is better.

“Most people have some underlying immunity that helps them fight the virus,” she explains. “We have antivirals … and for that … I don’t think we’re seeing an increase in deaths. And it’s very encouraging. It’s even this virus in BA.5. It tells me that even it’s not so divergent, it’s running away from all the arms of the immune system. ”

She adds that new booster shot Especially targeting Omicron It may be deployed soon this fall, but it should also help prevent serious illness and death.

Is there a long-term impact on people who receive COVID-19 multiple times?

Survey results Preprint survey As announced in June, people who get sick many times may be at increased risk of long-term COVID symptoms.

Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis, examined thousands of re-infected cases and discovered various problems in the months that followed. Other conditions including certain respiratory disorders, cough, shortness of breath, malaise, brain fog and metabolic disorders, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.

“Overall, we conclude that reinfection contributes to additional risk,” says Al-Aly. “So even if you are vaccinated … it’s definitely best to avoid reinfection.”

and, A study published last week In the journal cell We conclude that there is a high probability of repeated infections.

Researchers have studied blood samples from people who have been vaccinated and boosted, and they have found that they have a reduced ability to neutralize. BA.5 virus compared to previous subvariants BA.1 and BA.2.

In addition, the blood of people with breakthrough infections with BA.1 also showed low neutralization, “suggesting that populations are more likely to have repeated Omicron infections,” the authors conclude. It is attached.

What can people do to protect themselves?

There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to the virus, such as masking in a crowded indoor space.Method is as follows Step up the mask game..

In addition, children under the age of 5 are finally Eligible for vaccination (And many parents hesitate, but public health professionals I advise you not to wait Already).And adults over 50 and adults over 12 Specific underlying conditionsYou can get the second booster shot.

Also, if you plan to attend a trip or rally this summer, check out the following tips. Protect yourself outdoors, Improve indoor air flow And what to do if you get Ill during vacation..