News Highlight
The current surge in Covid-19 infections in China is believed to be driven by the Omicron sub-variant BF.7 circulating in that country.
Key Takeaway
- It began to displace the variations prevalent in the US and some European nations in October.
- China is currently witnessing an unprecedented Covid-19 surge, and the Chinese healthcare system is overwhelmed.
- In addition, shortages of medicines have also been reported amid suggestions that Chinese authorities are covering up the true extent of outbreaks.
- The surge follows the relaxation of China’s ‘Zero Covid’ policy after a wave of intense nationwide protests.
- Furthermore, projections show that China’s Covid-19 situation is expected to worsen through winter.
BF.7, the Omicron subvariant
- About
- BF.7 is the same as BA.5.2.1.7, a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5.
- The Omicron subvariant BF.7 has the most potent infection ability.
- The Omicron subvariant BF.7 is believed to be highly transmissible.
- The BF.7 subvariant has a shorter incubation period.
- Furthermore, it has a higher capacity to cause reinfection or infect even those vaccinated.
Symptoms of the BF.7 variant
- Firstly, the BF.7 subvariant of Omicron might cause symptoms similar to those of other subvariants.
- Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, exhaustion, and diarrhoea are typical symptoms.
- However, persons with weakened immune systems and pre-existing medical issues are more prone to develop severe diseases from the variation.
Why is there a surge in Covid-19 cases in China?
- Since easing the severe prohibitions last month in response to infrequent public protests, China has seen an increase in cases.
- Additionally, China has been adhering to a zero-Covid policy for the previous three years to address any spike in instances, which required extraordinarily stringent procedures.
- Every known case, including those that were asymptomatic, had to be hospitalised;
- Moreover, small outbreaks led to strict lockdowns, and suspected patients and their contacts were isolated.
- The methods were harsh but successful in stopping the virus’s spread.
- In addition, it also meant that a sizable segment of the population had never been exposed to the virus and had any form of natural protection, making it highly vulnerable.
- Therefore, as soon as the virus overcame the defences, it spread quickly across the populace.
Conclusion
- According to reports, the highly contagious Omicron strain, primarily BF.7, is the significant variety circulating in Beijing and is causing a broader rise in COVID infections there, wreaking havoc on Chinese cities.
- The US, the UK, and European countries, including Belgium, Germany, France, and Denmark, have reported finding it.
- Furthermore, the high transmissibility of BF.7 in China could be linked to a lack of immunity in the Chinese population from past infection and possibly vaccination.
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: Indian Express