In March 2020, the world saw one of the worst pandemics it has ever witnessed- COVID-19. Two years later, COVID cases are still recorded all over. The only difference is- both the fear and intensity of the virus have decreased. Or has it? On 4th October 2022, BF.7 was detected in Yantai and Shaoguan City in China.
Less than a week after it was initially discovered in Northwest China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the new Omicron variant BF.7 has spread to more provinces in China.
Two extremely transmissible subvariants of Omicron, BF.7 and BA.5.1.7, were discovered in different Chinese provinces. Both subvariants spread quickly and are quite contagious.
Two types are “extremely contagious,” according to Li Shujian, deputy director of a Chinese disease prevention and control center, and are very easy to evade prior immunization.
Keep an Eye Out for the Symptoms
Constant coughing, headaches, chest pain, changes in sense of smell, hearing loss, and shaking are among the symptoms of the BF.7 subvariant. The majority of the symptoms are similar to diseases brought on by other Omicron subvariants.
One also shouldn’t ignore the additional COVID symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, sore throat, and exhaustion. Mask use and hand sanitization should be promoted and practiced.
Is This a Threat to the World?
There is definitely a noticeable pattern in the new variant detection and the start of the pandemic two years back. So should we take the masks, gloves, and sanitizer guns back out?
According to a report in the Chinese media, BF.7 has improved immunity evasion capabilities compared to its recurrent parent since it is a subvariant of the main COVID variant, Omicron.
The Omicron variant and its subvariants have the capacity to bypass immunity. The BF.7 subvariant is rapidly expanding outside of China in Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, and England.
White House COVID-19 Data Director Dr. Cyrus Shahpar took to Twitter and said “Slow growth in emerging sub-variants (e.g. BA.2.75, BA.4.6, BF.7) and expect more in weeks ahead. Bottom line: These are all Omicron & we have a new bivalent dose that increases protection against all of them. Get one now to have a safer fall and winter!”
Whether this turns out to be a minor hit or something unfathomable, we as citizens should keep in mind the safety precautions issued before and adhere to them. These reports strongly hint that this pandemic isn’t over yet.
