Coronavirus explainer: COVID strains that could be driving the current surge in India

In 2020, this time around, scientists, doctors and people around the world were mostly clueless and unaware of how the SARs-CoV-2 virus functions. There was a sense of unpredictability and we were all fearful of contracting the deadly disease. Now, over two years into the pandemic, we have been exposed to new variants, long term complications of the virus and have a vaccine to protect ourselves.

Given that milder variants as compared to the Delta have taken over, people have started to breathe a sigh of relief and have resumed back to normalcy. However, the recent surge in the COVID-19 cases has again alarmed health authorities in India and around the globe.

While relaxations and negligence are two aspects to blame, the new emerging variants have also contributed to the increasing number of cases.

Also read: Coronavirus complication: Know how COVID damages your lungs

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, which recently lead to a spike in COVID cases in South Africa, have overtaken the so-called "stealth Omicron", becoming dominant in the U.S..

This pair of Omicron subvariant is swiftly sweeping over several countries and has been detected in India too. Experts believe the two are also the COVID variants driving the current surge in the country.

Both subvariants are said to be fast-spreading and as per South African experts, it may even evade vaccines and natural immunity from prior infections.

Also read: Coronavirus infection: If it is not COVID, then what is it? Know the signs of COVID which overlap with other infections

As of now, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron are not thought to be lethal and compared to the Delta variant of COVID, is said to be milder and more manageable. However, given its ability to evade both natural and vaccine-induced immunity, it is said to spread more easily and efficiently.

A recent South African study found that people who had been previously infected with Omicron but not vaccinated developed nearly eightfold drop in neutralizing antibodies when exposed to BA.4 and BA.5. Simultaneously, people who had been vaccinated and previously infected experienced milder symptoms.

Since many countries have lifted all restrictions and mask mandates, it has become all the more easy for the subvariants to spread.

Just like their parent variant Omicron, subvariants BA.4 and BA. 5 may showcase similar symptoms such as:

- Fever

- Sore throat

- Cough

- Runny nose

- Sneezing

- Fatigue

- Body pain

- Gastrointestinal issues.

In severe cases, one may experience shortness of breath, chest pain and low blood oxygen levels.

Although mask mandates have been lifted and restrictions eased, people must still continue to take precautionary measures.

Face masks are said to reduce the risk of contraction and also prevent the spread of the virus. Similarly, social distancing is a crucial step towards protecting those who are the most vulnerable including the elderlies. Remember to maintain good hand hygiene and avoid going to crowded spaces.

Most importantly, get your vaccine boosters as soon as you're eligible for the shot. Vaccine immunity is said to wane over time and therefore, if you received your second vaccine shot a long time back, it's time to re-boost your immune system.