What Makes BA.5 The 'Worst' COVID-19 Subvariant? Here's What Experts Say

Health experts warn that the Omicron BA.5 subvariant leads to more severe COVID-19 conditions for many people, including reinfections with "more painful" symptoms that might impact even vaccinated individuals.

Doctors believe that BA.5 could be the worst subvariant of COVID-19. The following are the reasons:

High False Negatives on Rapid Antigen Tests

False negatives on rapid antigen tests may be more common with BA.5, according to preliminary findings from the Kirby Institute that have not yet undergone peer review, as ABC 7 News reported.

According to UCSF infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, it is "very common" for people to get a positive result on the fourth or fifth day of symptoms "if only using a rapid antigen test." He suggests "combing the nose and the throat and repeating the tests multiple times."

BA.5 Is the Most Contagious COVID-19 Variant, Research Says

It is at least 20% more contagious than omicron, according to the CDC. Doctors claim that even in places we considered to be "safe," such as the outdoors, it will be easier to get infected.

UCSF Epidemiologist Dr. George Rutherford said: "The more transmissible the virus is the easier it is to get. It's always possible and if you're in crowded outdoor areas, it's very possible."

Eric Topol, a cardiologist and professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research, has described BA.5 as "the worst version of the virus we've seen."

He explained: "It takes immune escape, already extensive, to the next level, and, as a function of that, enhanced transmissibility," well beyond earlier versions of Omicron, according to a report from CNN

In other words, BA.5 can easily sidestep the protection provided by earlier infections and vaccinations, increasing the risk of reinfection.

Topol stated that although the variety does not appear to cause more severe symptoms, he expects to see a spike in hospitalizations given the degree of immune evasion that BA.5 had demonstrated in Europe and other regions where it has spread.

"One good thing is it doesn't appear to be accompanied by the ICU admissions and the deaths as previous variants, but this is definitely concerning," he noted.

The symptoms of BA.5 are identical to those of earlier strains, but preliminary research suggests they can be more painful.

Dr. Chin-Hong said BA.5 patients reported more symptoms of severe sore throat-- "like their throat is on fire with BA.5."

Its Possible Impact on Health Care System

Health experts warn if transmission rates continue to rise and hurt hospital systems, it may become serious trouble. Hospitalizations have surged to their highest level since February, although COVID-19 cases are not currently ravaging Bay Area hospitals.

Doctors warn patients to exercise extreme caution due to this and a blind zone of COVID instances. According to the White House, potentially tens of thousands of new COVID cases are being underreported daily across the United States.

No Public Restrictions as of Now

In an earlier HNGN report, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House's top pandemic advisor, urged Americans to get a second booster shot to curb the spread of the BA.5 variant.

Fauci dismissed the notion of implementing further restrictions if case numbers rise again, adding that vaccinations and boosters were the essential tools in the fight against virus transmission.