COVID:  Fast-spreading BA.5 virus hits 22 countries in the Americas

The BA.5 subvariant of Ómicron, which appears to spread faster than others, has been detected in at least 22 countries and territories in the Americas and is likely to become predominant, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned on Wednesday.

Last week,  1,562. 967 infections and 4,789 deaths were registered, a decrease of 0.9% in cases and 3.5% in deaths compared to the previous seven days, detailed  PAHO director, Carissa Etienne, in a virtual press conference.

Cases soared in Central America (+54.9%) and increased 2% in South America, while they decreased 5.2% in the Caribbean and 4.5% in North America, it added.

But “an increasing proportion of cases is being caused by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages and this is generating new infections across the continent,” she explained.

The BA.5 subvariant has been detected in at least 22 countries and territories and is likely to become predominant in all subregions in the coming weeks, estimates PAHO.

This virus “knows no borders,” especially now that international travel has resumed, but vaccines “remain highly effective” against any of the subvariants in preventing serious illness or death.