BA.5 causing surge in new COVID-19 cases in Nepal
KATHMANDU, July 13: BA.5 sub-variant of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been recently confirmed in Nepal along with various other countries.
In the last four days, new cases of COVID-19 have more than doubled in the country which indicates that the BA.5 variant is causing a surge in the new cases.
BA.5 has been identified as one of the fastest spreading variants of COVID-19 virus. The symptoms of BA.5 infections are also believed to be the same as the Omicron variant.
Even if the number of new cases are rising, the virus so far seems to be ‘mild’ since only few people are developing serious complications.
As the daily life of people and businesses are gradually returning to normal, the general public are seen largely defying the COVID-19 safety protocols, which in the coming days may trigger the next wave of COVID-19 infection.
Nepali people are seen undergoing COVID-19 tests only after their workplace makes it mandatory or they have to travel abroad. Due to which only few tests are being carried out resulting in the detection of fewer cases.
Besides, the novel coronavirus is likely to undergo new mutations and pose new threats to our society.
(Author – Dr Sher Bahadur Pun – is a virologist currently working at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital).
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