COVID cases in the U.S. have now risen to about 100,000 cases a day, with subvariant BA.2.12.1, being responsible for almost 60% of the cases.

Health experts are also keeping an eye on two new subvariants: BA.4 and BA.5.  Experts say BA.4 and BA.5 now represent up to 7% of new cases – and the percentage appears to be growing.

Symptoms appear to be consistent with the previous subvariants – mostly mild, cold or allergy-like with the most common symptoms including cough, fatigue, congestion or runny nose.  Traditional COVID symptoms have also been reported including fever or chills, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.  BA.4 and BA.5 have mutations that make them slightly different than BA.2.12.1.     It’s believed they are more closely related to the Delta variant and previous infection with Delta could provide some additional protection.  As of end of May BA.4 had been detected in at least 30 countries; BA.5 has been found in 32 countries.

(AL.COM/www.al.com)