Expert warns of Omicron BA.5 subvariant, calls it the ‘most dangerous’ yet


Citing its highly transmissible and “evasive” nature, a health expert warned the public against the Omicron BA.5 subvariant, calling it the “most dangerous” yet.

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Health reform advocate and former special adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon on Monday, July 11, said that the BA.5 subvariant of Omicron could be driving the resurgence of Covid-19 infections in the country.

“  ang pinaka evasive sa immunity natin, kahit meron kang bakuna kailangan pa rin nating i-boost up. Dahil highly transmissible ito than the other variants, this is the most dangerous subvariant ngayon sa ating mundo at bansa. Ito ang nagdadrive (This BA.5 is the most evasive to our immunity. This is why even if we have primary vaccines, we still need to boost up. Because it is highly transmissible than the other variants, this is the most dangerous subvariant today in our world and the country. This is what drives the resurgence),” said Leachon over DZRH. 

Asked whether this could possibly overwhelm the country’s health care system, the expert said that it remains less likely.

“I don’t think this would affect our healthcare system given the mild manifestations and the effect of primary vaccination, boosters, plus natural immunity. It will drive another surge due to waning immunity, but this time it will be manageable,” Leachon told Manila Bulletin. 

This, according to Leachon, is why the country needs to ramp up its booster program. Apart from this, he added that the BA.5’s presentation could be “clinically different” than the other subvariants, reiterating that there should be no room for complacency amid this uncertainty.

Latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that a total of 233 cases of BA.5 have already been detected in the Philippines as of July 7, 2022.

The ‘most dangerous’ subvariant yet

Leachon described BA.5 as distinct, highly transmissible, and contagious compared to any previous forms of Covid-19. According to the expert, its “evasive” nature is one of the many reasons why it is able to slip past an individual’s immune system, contributing to the rise of infections in the country. 

Despite this, he urged the public not to panic as the country’s number of infections and healthcare utilization rate remain manageable.

“We’re still under control but we need to raise the red flag or sound the alarm bells para ang ating mga kababayan ay makapag ingat (We’re still under control but we need to raise the red flag or sound the alarm bells so that our countrymen can be careful),” he furthered.