China is currently witnessing an unprecedented COVID-19 surge, and the Chinese healthcare system is overburdened. The current increase in COVID-19 infections in China is being driven by the BF.7 omicron sub-variant. Shortages of medicines have also been reported, raising concerns that Chinese officials are hiding the full scope of the infection.
Now, the new variant has been detected in India as well. The numbers may be less, but the government is worried and citizens have been alerted. Let’s know everything about the novel sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
What is the Omicron BF.7 variant?
The new subvariant BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the BA.5 omicron variant, which is reportedly the most infectious variant known since the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020. The latest variant is highly regarded. Infectious, spreads faster than expected compared to previously detected Delta BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5 variants. It has a high potential to cause re-infection or even infect those who have been vaccinated, said a PTI report.
The BF.7 sub-variant has a higher “immune escape capability” than the earlier Omicron variants BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5. According to experts, the variant can multiply and infect between 10 and 18.6 people at a time. An infected person comes in contact with a non-infected person. Its reproduction number, or Ro, is 10 to 18.6, while Delta’s Ro was 5 or 6.
According to a study published in the journal ‘Cell Host and Microbe’, the BF.7 variant has 4.4 times higher neutralization resistance than the original Wuhan virus. This means that the antibodies from the vaccination are not effective enough against the virus.
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Characteristics of the Omicron BF.7 variant
BF.7 mainly causes upper respiratory infections, meaning congestion in the upper parts of the chest and near the throat. Fever, sore throat, runny nose and cough are other common symptoms. Some people may have abdominal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. This variant may not cause any serious complications but can spread rapidly. Therefore, early detection and isolation are extremely important. Doctors advise that getting tested promptly is important as it can help contain the spread by ensuring early decisions on isolation and recovery medications.
situation in china
China is currently grappling with possibly the world’s largest Covid outbreak since the coronavirus was first detected in 2019. Hospitals, and emergency wards have been filled with patients, while crematoriums and funeral homes have seen long queues as bodies pile up due to the sudden surge.
According to news reports, BF.7 began spreading in October, and cases were reported in the United States and several European countries. The latest surge in China may be due to the relaxation of its ‘Zero Covid’ policy after a wave of strong nationwide protests by the people. It is believed that low levels of immunity due to previous infections could be one of the major reasons behind the surge in China. Experts and projections have predicted that the situation could turn grim in the coming winter months.
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What is the situation in India?
For the last several days in India, less than 200 cases are being reported in a day. However, so far four cases of Kovid-19 due to BF.7 variant have been reported in the country. Three cases have been confirmed from Gujarat and one from Odisha. All four patients were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms. Cases were reported in July, September and November. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. “COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be vigilant and strengthen vigilance. We are prepared to manage any situation,” he wrote in a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been meeting ministers and top officials to review the Covid situation in India, and states have been asked to advise on masks and social distancing, especially ahead of the new year. Mandatory restrictions are yet to return. The Indian government has started random testing of visitors from abroad – 2 per cent of all landings. There is already a ban on flights to and from China. The government has also requested states and union territories to send samples of all Covid positive cases to Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) laboratories so that new variants can be tracked.
impact on other countries
Currently, China, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States are registering an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases. BF.7 has been found in several other countries around the world, including the UK, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. But it is not necessarily behaving equally dangerously in countries other than China.
The UK, which assessed BF.7 as the most concerning variant two months ago, has lowered its estimate of how severe it is, for Sinstans. BF.7 accounted for more than 5 percent of US cases and 7.26 percent of UK cases in October. Scientists in the West were looking closely at the variant; However, there was no dramatic increase in the number of cases or hospitalizations in these countries.
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