Explained: Two New Omicron Variants Forcing Lockdown In Chinese Cities Once Again
A spike in COVID-19 cases has prompted China to impose new lockdowns and travel restrictions across the nation. Two novel Omicron sub-variants, BF.7 and BA.5.1.7, which are anticipated to be extremely contagious and more communicable, have been detected by China in a variety of regions.
A spike in COVID-19 cases has prompted China to impose new lockdowns and travel restrictions across the nation. Two novel Omicron sub-variants, BF.7 and BA.5.1.7, which are anticipated to be extremely contagious and more communicable, have been detected by China in a variety of regions.
On October 12, China's national health committee announced that 1,760 new local infections had occurred the day before, including cases from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Xian.
Evolution of Omicron
Late last year, Omicron outcompeted the delta strain and was first discovered in southern Africa. The spike protein gene, which provides the coronavirus its crown-like structure and enables cell invasion, has about 30 mutations in Omicron's initial iteration, B.1.1.529, which is what makes this coronavirus unique.
AP
Changes there may reduce the pathogen's recognition by the immune system's antibodies generated in response to immunization or a case of Covid, raising the likelihood of infection in those circumstances.
Since then, Omicron has been evolving continuously, resulting in the sudden, simultaneous appearance of numerous "fitter," faster-moving subvariants. Each consists of a unique combination of genetic changes that have an impact on infectivity, pathogenicity, and antibody evasion.
Some mutant strains have developed a remarkable resistance to antibodies, including those created to treat Covid, as well as an improved capacity to infect respiratory system cells, leaving them increasingly adept at transmitting from person to person. To separate specific variants from what has become a confusing categorization of letters and digits using traditional scientific nomenclature, scientists have assigned them labels like "basilisk" and "gryphon."
Among the main omicron lineages, the BQ.1.1, BQ.1, BQ.1.3, BA.2.3.20, and XBB subvariants have some of the highest rates of spread. The UK's health security agency recently stated that the BQ varieties, as well as BA.2.75.2 and BF.7, are the most worrisome due to their growth benefit and immune evasiveness.
What is the current situation in China?
AFP
Two extremely transmissible subvariants of Omicron, BF.7 and BA.5.1.7, have been discovered in a number of Chinese provinces. The experts have issued a warning over these two subvariants' "rapidly spreading speed" since more cases of each have spread to more provinces of China. While multiple cases of BA.5.1.7 have been found in the Chinese city of Shaoguan in the province of Guangdong, BF.7 has also been found there as well as in Yantai and is gradually spreading to further regions.
While extensive Covid prohibitions prevented people from traveling or shopping, consumer confidence is still declining as holiday spending over China's Golden Week fell to its lowest point in 7 years.
The country is doubling down on zero-Covid, a strategy used by local authorities to follow Party directives, show their allegiance to President Xi Jingping, and avoid any widespread outbreak that could endanger their careers weeks before the Party Congress.
In mainland China, the number of new instances of COVID is surging, causing numerous local authorities to tighten movement restrictions.
China's 'Zero Covid' policy?
Zero-COVID is a public health policy that stresses the use of contact monitoring, border restrictions, mass screening, and periodic lockdowns to effectively shut down all avenues for a virus like COVID to propagate.
AFP
Despite the fact that the frequency of new infections is not concerning, China has been pursuing a zero-COVID strategy. Local media claimed that due to the country's economic downturn, there is increasing public pressure on the Chinese authorities to ease its zero-Covid policy. However, the debates at the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party's (7th Plenary) current meeting are mostly focused on the party's determination to uphold the strict zero-Covid policy even after the 20th National Congress of the CCP.
On October 10, the Party's newspaper "People's Daily" repeated this as well, pleading with the public to "show patient" with the zero-Covid policy as it aims to break all virus transmission chains.
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