The Omicron Sub-Variant BA.5 Is the Worst Version of the Virus

Bad news from the Scripps Research Translational Institute — let’s find out more.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

A frightening statement it is. However, experts say it is still unclear just how risky the situation is.

Eric Topol, the founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, goes on to say:

It takes immune escape, already extensive, to the next level, and, as a function of that, enhanced transmissibility, well beyond Omicron (BA.1) and other Omicron family variants that we have seen.

Omicron was first discovered in late 2021 and is highly infectious compared to previous versions of COVID.

The BA.5 strain is spreading throughout the country along with BA.4. According to the CDC, BA.5 accounts for 65% of COVID infections for the week ending July 9. BA.4 accounted for 16.3%.

According to Topol, BA.5 has shown that it has mutated significantly from early versions of Omicron. This will make it harder for our bodies to recognize its spike protein and provide immunity.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky reports that even though many of us have been infected with BA.1 or BA.2, we are most likely still…