Extremely infectious and even more efficiently bypassing the immune response obtained after contracting COVID-19 or vaccination against this disease. The options BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 are of reasonable concern to scientists. And although most of us have neither the strength nor the desire to hear about it – after all, we have already had a few variants “much more infectious than the previous ones” – it’s time to face the truth. The coronavirus is still with us, it keeps mutating and it still threatens us. In the fall, he will probably convince the doubters about it.
- More than half a million COVID-19 sufferers are added to the world every day
- The trend is upward and also applies to Poland, where over 300 coronavirus infections have been recorded recently – despite limited testing
- The Omikron variant is still responsible for the infections, but in a new version. These are three highly infectious mutations that were identified just a few weeks ago
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
COVID-19 is doing quite well
While today it seems to us that years have passed since the last wave of coronavirus infections, Omikron – the most infectious variant of SARS-CoV-2 to date – was first detected just seven months ago. In a matter of weeks, it managed to take over the world, causing millions of infections – in winter, in spring, and now, in summer.
The latest data presented on the Worldometers website shows that there are over half a million new cases every day COVID-19. Taking into account the fact that in many countries – as in Poland – testing for coronavirus infection has been reduced to a minimum, this number should probably be multiplied by at least two – or three times.
The rest of the text below the video.
The fact that Omikron (which is still responsible for nearly 100% of cases in all countries of the world) cannot be forgotten is shown not only by the data from countries that are still serious about testing (e.g. Germany, which every day records over 100 thousand infections). This is also visible in Poland, where the covid «bars» are growing week by week, despite the low-infectious summer season.
The latest data from the Ministry of Health show that the number of cases is growing. From Tuesday (June 21) to Friday (June 24), the chart never dropped below 300 cases, while in the whole month of days when so many infections were recorded, there were only three.
These results come only from tests performed in a hospital or primary health care, which are registered in the official system. Nobody knows how many “covids” are diagnosed privately, in patients’ homes, and how many are not detected at all, because nobody bothers with confirming the infection anymore.
You can find a home coronavirus test at Medonet Market.
The new Omicron mutation has already made itself felt
It is suspected that more than half of these cases may be caused by one of the three most recent mutations of the Omikron variant: BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.12.1, which evolved from BA.2. All of them were identified this year (the first two in January and February, the third in April) and very quickly became known as extremely infectious and resistant to existing vaccines. The researchers who analyzed the cases of the disease also found that these mutations perfectly bypass the immune response also in people who have contracted COVID-19.
“The concern is that these seem to be yet another highly infectious variants that seem to be better at avoiding immunity to prior infection and vaccine-induced immunity. Even a prior Omicron infection may not be protective,” said Prof. Matthew Fox, an epidemiologist at Boston University.
What does this mean for us? Two things. First, that we have no doubts that SARS-CoV-2 will miraculously disappear or cease to evolve. Despite the experience of over two years of a pandemic, the virus still turns out to be faster and smarter and from us, and the only thing we can do is look at it, improve the available tools (vaccines, drugs) and look for new ones that will meet the challenges. “We underestimated how slippery this virus is,” Prof. Paul Bieniasz from Rockefeller University.
Second that we should be vigilant and cautious, especially if we are at risk of severe COVID-19. It is not only the burden of age, chronic diseases or constantly reduced immunity, but also factors that we do not notice on a daily basis, and which have a huge impact on the condition of our immune system and the entire body (lack of adequate sleep, stress, improper diet, inactivity). physical and mental well-being).
The good news is that the new mutations result in a mild infection in most cases. The symptoms are similar to those of a common cold (increased body temperature, runny nose, cough, fatigue, general weakness) and pass after an average of four days.
Unfortunately, this does not mean that we do not have to worry about infection (including reinfection). Long covid is becoming more common – complications after COVID-19 affect vaccinated people as well, and the list of symptoms that recovering people struggle with almost extends from week to week.
The advice of doctors is still the same as at the beginning and middle of the pandemic. “It is extremely important that we keep up to date with our vaccinations,” emphasizes Dr. Sabrina Assoumou of the Boston University School of Medicine. «If we qualify for a booster dose, we should apply for it. If we are not vaccinated and we have doubts, let’s talk to our doctor ».
The expert concluded that we should also still remember the measures that have been helpful during the last two years. If we have symptoms of infection, we should stay home. When we go out to public places, we should wear protective masks. When we feel really bad, let’s go to the doctor and do the necessary tests. These essential tools will protect others and ourselves.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time our guest is Marek Rybiec – businessman, as one of 78 people from all over the world, he completed «4 Deserts» – ultramarathon taking place in extreme places around the world. She talks to Aleksandra Brzozowska about the challenge, mental strength and mindfulness training. Listen!