The sub-variant of the new coronavirus, which accounts for most COVID-19 infections in Quebec, is more portable than the previous Omicron strain, but is no more virulent, the province’s public health institute said Tuesday.
About 90 percent of new COVID-19 infections randomly tested in Quebec since mid-April include sub-variant BA.2, which replaced the original Omicron strain – BA.1 – responsible for the increase in infections last winter.
On Tuesday, the National Institute of Public Opinion of Quebec said: “Risks of hospitalization or any other serious illness associated with BA.2 are comparable to those associated with BA.1.”
The institute’s report found that vaccines were 10 to 40 percent effective in preventing symptomatic infections in the six months after the second dose. A third dose increases the effectiveness against symptomatic infection to between 40% and 74%.
“The effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing hospitalizations or deaths associated with BA.2 remains increased (77 percent to 85 percent) even seven months after the second dose,” the institute said. A third dose or infection after vaccination increases it to between 98% and 100%.
Quebec, meanwhile, reported an increase in hospitalizations with COVID-19 by 25 patients on Tuesday and another 27 deaths due to the new coronavirus. The health ministry said 2,195 people were hospitalized with the disease, after 141 people had been admitted in the previous 24 hours and 116 had been discharged. It says 76 people are in intensive care, a drop of two over the same period.
Health officials reported 1,194 new cases detected by PCR testing, with 9.2% of tests tested positive on Monday.
This Canadian Press report was first published on May 3, 2022.
Add Comment