The omicron variant BA5 has it all: Actually, the next corona wave was not expected until autumn. But now a summer wave has developed. According to the current RKI report, the new subtype BA5 could already dominate. It is considered particularly infectious.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the omicron sublines, which have been increasing proportionally for a few weeks, are already dominant. As the institute announced in its weekly report on Thursday, it accounted for 23.7 percent of all cases. That’s more than doubled in a week. In the previous week, according to updated data, the proportion was 11.5 percent. “The strong growth of BA.4 and BA.5 in particular, but also BA.2.12.1, suggests that these variants currently already account for the majority of the evidence,” writes the RKI in its weekly report. It is based on evaluations of virus variants.
According to the RKI report, the BA.4 variant was 4.2 percent in the 22nd calendar week. In the previous week it was 2.2 percent. The spread of both variants could contribute to the “resurgence in the number of infections” currently observed. This data in the report always refers to the week before last. They have doubled compared to the previous week.
The strong growth of BA.5, but also BA.4. suggest that “in a few weeks these variants will account for the majority of evidence using genome sequencing in the sample,” explained the RKI in the weekly report. The lower proportion of serious illnesses and a lower number of deaths associated with Covid19 are due to the increasing basic immunity and a fundamentally lower proportion of severe courses due to the omicron variant.
RKI still advises vaccination
In the development of the seven-day incidence, the RKI speaks of a significant increase of around one third for the past week compared to the previous week. All age groups are affected. More outbreaks in old people’s and nursing homes and in medical treatment facilities have also been recorded again. “With the further increase in the number of infections, a renewed increase in infection pressure on vulnerable groups of people is to be expected.” An RKI map showing the development of the infection process shows many districts with an increased number of cases, especially in north-west Germany.
The further course of the pandemic depends “essentially on the behavior of the population,” explained the RKI. Against the background of rising incidences and an expected increase due to the greater spread of BA.4 and BA.5, “the recommendations for avoiding infection should be observed to a greater extent”. The vaccination has not lost its importance due to its high protective effect against a severe course “even in diseases caused by omicron”, emphasized the RKI. Risk groups and very old people in particular should therefore protect themselves with the second booster vaccination recommended by the Standing Vaccination Committee.
Source: Stern
