Omicron subvariants BA.4, BA.5 make up to 70% of COVID-19 variants in US—CDC
A person takes a COVID-19 test in Times Square as the Omicron coronavirus variant continues to spread in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., December 26, 2021. REUTERS
The fast-spreading BA.4 and BA.5 sub-lineages of Omicron are estimated to make up a combined 70.1% of the coronavirus variants in the United States as of July 2, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday.
BA.4 and BA.5 made up 52% of U.S. variants for the week of June 25. They were added to the World Health Organization’s monitoring list in March and designated as variants of concern by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended last week that COVID-19 vaccine makers change the design of their booster shots beginning this fall to include components tailored to combat BA.4 and BA.5.
BA.4 made up 16.5% of the variants in circulation, the latest data showed, while BA.5 accounted for 53.6%.
RELATED STORIES
Article continues after this advertisementDOH detects 190 more COVID-19 cases that carries Omicron subvariants
Article continues after this advertisementBe ready for new Omicron subvariants – health expert
Guide to keeping up with Omicron subvariants
Omicron BA.2.12.1 in PH: What you need to know
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
