Everything you need to know about the BA4 and BA5 Covid variants

Covid-19 case numbers are rising again, in part due to two Omicron subvariants – BA4 and BA5.

As always, the NHS says symptoms to watch out for are:

• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness or exhaustion
• Headache
• Muscle aches all over the body
• Sore throat
• Blocked or runny nose
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting
• A lack of appetite.

Loss of smell or taste, or any change in those senses, are still considered Covid-19 symptoms – but studies have shown it is less likely in Omicron cases, and more likely in Alpha or Delta variants.

How infectious are the BA4 and BA5 Covid variants?

UKHSA said in late June 2022 that BA4 made up 22% of new cases in England, with BA5 making up 39%.

It also added that it appears BA5 is ‘likely’ on course to becoming the UK’s dominant strain.

Currently, UK cases are on the rise, with the UK government’s most recent data (from June 20 to 26) reporting 116,312 confirmed cases in England over the past seven days, up by 33% on the previous week.

An uptick in hospitalisations was also reported.

However, figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimate that the number of cases in England was much higher – 1.82 million for the week ending June 24 – with the estimate for the UK at 2.29 million.

As of July 3, the ZOE Covid Health Study – using data from its app – predicted there were 3.5 million symptomatic cases across the UK.

The discrepancy in case numbers could be down to the decline in people regularly testing for Covid-19.

UKHSA’s Chief Medical Advisor, Professor Susan Hopkins, has noted that ICU admissions and deaths were at ‘low levels’.

She explained: ‘It is clear that the increasing prevalence of Omicron BA4 and BA5 are significantly increasing the case numbers we have observed in recent weeks.

‘We have seen a rise in hospital admissions in line with community infections but vaccinations are continuing to keep ICU admissions and deaths at low levels.’

It’s also worth adding that current numbers are still below the Omicron peak seen in March 2022.

Do current vaccines work with the BA4 and BA5 Covid variants?

It is too early to know for certain just how effective the existing vaccines are against BA4 and BA5.

Dr Dan Barouch, Director of Virology and Vaccine Research at the centre, told CNN on June 23 that the variants could lead to ‘surges of infections’ in populations with ‘high immunity’.

Crucially, though, he said: ‘It is likely that vaccine immunity will still provide substantial protection against severe disease with BA4 and BA5.’

UKHSA’s Professor Hopkins has urged Brits to ‘ensure that [they’re] up to date with Covid-19 vaccinations, which remain our best form of defence against the virus’.

She added: ‘It’s not too late to catch up if you’ve missed boosters, or even first doses so please take your recommended vaccines.’

Meanwhile, leading scientists in the UK have called for autumn booster jabs and updated vaccines.

And according to The Guardian, Moderna, Pfizer and other drug companies are all working on vaccines that use different techniques to target different Omicron variants.

MORE : New vaccine rollout needed to fight off another Covid wave

MORE : Risk of long Covid lower from Omicron compared to Delta variant, finds research

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