BA.5 Omicron Subvariant Sweeps the Country

In recent report by NPR, the BA.5 omicron subvariant is now the most prevalent coronavirus strain in the United States, and is four times more resistant to COVID-19 vaccines, according to a new study.

The strain, which is considered “hypercontagious,” according to the Mayo Clinic, is more defiant against messenger RNA vaccines, which include Pfizer and Moderna.

The BA.5 strain represented 65% of cases from July 3 to 9, according to data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is contributing to increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units across the country.

However, vaccines still provide much better protection than going without the safeguards. According to experts at Mayo Clinic, unvaccinated people have about a five times higher chance of contracting the virus than those who are vaccinated and boosted, while chances of hospitalization are 7.5 times higher, and chances of death are 14 to 15 times higher.

The CDC still recommends getting tested if you experience COVID-19 symptoms, and wearing masks.

Read more about the BA.5 omicron variant here.