The latest super mutant strain BA.5 invaded Shanghai, will the epidemic rebound sharply? See what the experts say

The high temperature and scorching heat still can't stop Omicron, and the latest super mutant strain has invaded many places in China!

I still remember when I heard the news that the Shanghai COVID-19 Pneumonia Prevention and Control Headquarters announced that from June 1, Shanghai will fully resume normal production and living order. This means that Shanghai, which has pressed the pause button for 3 months, is finally about to restart. However, just over a month later, the epidemic hit Shanghai again. Not only that, but this time the COVID-19 virus also brought an upgraded version of the army - the Amicron BA.5.2.1 mutant strain. It is reported that this strain is the most transmissible mutant strain found so far, with an R0 value as high as 18.6.

Moreover, not only in Shanghai, but also recently in many places across the country, including Zhuhai in Guangdong, Qingdao in Shandong, Tianjin, Dalian in Liaoning, Beijing and Xi'an in Shaanxi, the evolutionary branch of the strain has been found. For this reason, many people are very worried about whether the country will rebound sharply again, let's see what experts say.

What are the characteristics of the COVID-19 virus variant BA.5?

As the saying goes: "Know yourself and know your enemy, you will win every battle", let's first understand the characteristics of the COVID-19 virus variant BA.5. This BA.5 mutant strain, known as the strongest transmission ability in history, is said to have a very strong immune escape ability. At present, more than 90% of the people across the country have completed two doses of COVID-19 vaccination, and some people have even received a third dose.

In our impression, after completing the COVID-19 vaccination, not to mention that the infection can be prevented 100%, at least to a certain extent, the preventive effect can be achieved. However, it is reported that the protective cover produced by the COVID-19 vaccine is extremely fragile in front of the BA.5 mutant strain and is easily penetrated. Even if you have been infected with COVID-19 before, the body produces certain antibodies, and it cannot be produced in the face of the BA.5 mutant strain. Immunity, which shows how difficult this BA.5 mutant strain is to deal with.

Will the epidemic rebound sharply?

According to the information released by the Shanghai Municipal Health and Health Commission, a case of Omicron BA.5.2.1 infection reported in Shanghai on July 8 was related to overseas entry. As of July 13, 435 people in Shanghai have been infected. In just a few days, hundreds of people have been infected. The main source of this is KTV. According to reports, 80% of the positive infections related to the Lanxi Road epidemic in Putuo District reported in Shanghai from July 3 to July 6 History of KTV activities.

But despite this, the author believes that the possibility of a sharp rebound in the epidemic is still very small. Because Shanghai has urgently launched precise tracking, most of the people in the transmission chain have been quarantined. Although there are still a small number of infected people in the society, the number is still at a low level, so overall it is still safe. This is the same across the country. For the time being, no place with a significant increase in cases has been found.

Do we need an urgent 3rd, 4th dose of COVID-19 vaccine?

With the emergence of new mutated strains, we do not rule out the possibility of a full vaccination with a third or even a fourth shot in the future. From another point of view, we have discovered a new mutated strain, and it is believed that a new vaccine against this strain will be available in the near future, and as time goes by, the protective effect of the vaccines we have received before will gradually increase. Decline, so it is still very necessary to continue to vaccinate.

But at present, the first thing we need to do is still do a good job of personal protection. KTV is a closed place. If there is an infected person, it is very easy to cause cross-infection, and the consequences will be disastrous. Therefore, it is better to gather as little as possible and stay less in densely populated and relatively closed places.