| A subtype of the covid virus; China is worried

BEIJING: The discovery of a new Omicron sub-variant has China worried as it moves forward with strict measures to combat Covid-19. The infection was confirmed on Friday in the city of Shanghai in the Patong district of eastern China.

The health department officials of the city informed that the infected person came from outside the country. A subtype of Omicron BA5 was detected in the patient. The new virus has been named Omicron BA 5.2.1.

China is facing a new challenge as offices and shops are closed and strict restrictions against Covid continue. In the statement of the Department of Health, it is said that the number of Covid patients in the city of Shanghai is increasing day by day and it has been decided to carry out strict disease testing from tomorrow to the 14th. The possibility of spreading the disease to other places is also high. This suggests that China’s goal of a zero-covid policy is a long way off despite all efforts to contain the new wave. The Omicron B.A5 virus, which caused a new wave of Covid-19 around the world, was first detected in China on May 13. The infection was from a person who came to Shanghai from Uganda. The discovery of the sub-variant comes amid tightening of regulations following this.

The Shanghai Health Commission says that although the BA5 virus is spreading quickly, it appears to be generally less dangerous. The commission also informed that vaccination helps a lot in preventing the disease from becoming serious and reducing the number of deaths.