The latest ommicron variants of the coronavirus appear to be responsible for 7% of the infections in Amsterdam. In a random sample, 13 of the 181 analyzed tests were for the BA.4 or BA.5 variant, the UMC Amsterdam and the GGD Amsterdam report. It was only 1 test a week ago.
Earlier, RIVM announced that the new variant will appear in the Netherlands. At the time, the variant did not seem to have spread further in the Netherlands.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the variant does not appear to be more pathogenic or contagious than the currently dominant omicron variant. Variants BA.4 and BA.5 have already been described by the WHO in Germany, Denmark and South Africa.
Due to changes in the genetic material of the variants, it is possible that BA.4 and BA.5 pass through the immune system more easily, even if someone has been vaccinated or has already been infected with the coronavirus. The RIVM is still investigating this.
Due to the corrected test statement, only healthcare employees, vulnerable persons and people who need a reassignment statement are currently tested at the GGD.
The latter group mainly consists of people who have not been vaccinated or supplemented. The example therefore does not say everything about the distribution of these variants in Amsterdam: in earlier variants, Amsterdam was often ahead of the rest of the country. Therefore, the sample was often indicative of the evolution of the variant.
Source: NU
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
