{"id":5720,"date":"2022-07-13T15:25:59","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T15:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/?p=5720"},"modified":"2022-07-13T17:44:19","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T17:44:19","slug":"ba-4-and-ba-5-voc-faq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/psw.circleofcare.com\/index.php\/2022\/07\/13\/ba-4-and-ba-5-voc-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 BA.4 and BA.5 Variants of Concern FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” gradient_type=”default”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

As viruses like COVID spread, they inevitably change and some of those changed varieties push others aside. BA.4 and BA.5<\/strong> are subvariants<\/strong>\u00a0with new mutations<\/strong> \u2014 of the Omicron variant that popped up late last year and then spread like wildfire through global populations.<\/p>\n

Public health officials in Ontario<\/a> and Quebec say the subvariants are helping fuel a new wave \u2013 the seventh so far. An expert with Ottawa\u2019s Coronavirus Variants Rapid Response Network said previously that BA.5 would account for 70 per cent of Canadian cases by July 1<\/strong>. Considering this, please review the following FAQ\u2019s regarding the VOC (variants of concern) Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5 shared with us by our Central HCCSS IPAC Consultant Dale Moses.<\/strong><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5721″ image_size=”custom” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” custom_image_size=”16W:100L”][vc_column_text]\n

What makes it different than other versions of the virus that causes COVID-19?<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

The two new subvariants seem better able to evade immunity provided by vaccination and previous infection<\/strong>, perhaps because of changes to the spike protein \u2014 the part of the virus targeted by most vaccines. That means even people recently infected could get infected again, experts say. But BA.4 and BA.5 do not seem to be any more virulent \u201a they don\u2019t cause more severe disease<\/strong> \u2013 than previous versions of Omicron<\/strong>. Omicron was generally less dangerous than previous variants like Delta.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

What is it doing to the spread of the virus?<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

The subvariants, and especially BA.5, are driving spikes in cases worldwide, including in Canada. Ontario\u2019s science advisory table, for instance, said this week that BA.5 is leading to exponential growth of COVID<\/a> in several parts of the province.<\/strong> The number of COVID-19 patients in Quebec hospitals grew by more than 50 per cent, from 1,007 to 1,534 in the last month, public health officials told a news conference .<\/a><\/p>\n

As with previous versions of the virus, the concern is that while widespread transmission will produce relatively mild disease in most people, the number of people who need be hospitalized or who die will necessarily grow.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Evidence from South Africa suggests BA.4 and BA.5 are not causing a worrying surge in hospitalizations, but in Portugal the rise in hospitalization and death is similar to previous Omicron surges.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Is this going to land us back in lock-down?<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

Public health officials in Canada have not called for a return to any kind of forced restriction in our daily lives, or of vaccine and mask mandates.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”4253″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]\n

What can I do about it?<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

Health officials are unanimous about the first and best way to fight BA.4 and BA.5 \u2014 get booster shots of vaccine.<\/strong> Canada has one of the highest rates of double-vaccination in the world. But only about 56 per cent<\/a> of those over 12 have received extra doses. Experts say the immunity provided by those first two doses have decreased, so returning for a third or fourth shot is highly recommended in the face of more contagious subvariants. “If the last dose was more than nine months ago, it\u2019s time for a booster,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos<\/a> last week.<\/p>\n

Vaccines provided limited protection against actually contracting COVID-19, but when up to date are still a powerful preventive for severe illness or death.
\nPublic health doctors also recommend that people wear masks while indoors among large groups of people, and favour outdoor gatherings if possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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