25% of the cases were BA.4 and BA.5 strains; researchers estimate more reinfections
The Fiocruz Genomics Network (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz) reported this Friday (8.Jul.2022) that Brazil has reached the mark of 50,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, in March 2022. 2020. Here’s the intact of the study (1 MB).
In May, the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 represented 8% of the cases sequenced in the country. According to the new data, the percentage rose to 25% in June.
With the predominance of these two strains, researchers expect more cases of reinfection, as they are considered genetically distinct from BA.1 and BA.2, which dominated the epidemiological scenario in the 1st semester.
Same case as when BA.1 replaced the delta variant and caused the peak of cases recorded in January and February of this year.
81 cases of reinfection by covid-19 were genetically characterized, 68 of which were associated with the lineages of the omicron variant. Among these cases, there are already people who have had a positive diagnosis for covid-19 from viruses of two different lineages of the omicron.
The data analyzed in the study refer to the period from June 16 to 30 and include the sequencing of 1,745 previously evaluated genomes.
The material is collected by the researchers in partnership and collaboration with the Lacens (State Public Health Laboratories), the General Coordination of Laboratories of the Ministry of Health, the Diagnostic Assistance Laboratories of Fiocruz and other national institutions.
With information from Brazil Agency.
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