by The new coronavirus Omicron subtype strain BA.5 has been the mainstream strain of the new crown for the past few months, but the new subtypes BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 beganChallenge the dominance of BA.5.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on FridaydataIt shows that BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 accounted for 11.4% of new cases of new crowns in the United States, double the number a week ago, and BA.5 fell to 68% from 75% a week ago. Notable for their ability to evade immune responses, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 have several mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that preliminary data suggest can help evade antibodies against the new coronavirus. Existing vaccines are still effective in reducing severe illness and death, but the ability to reduce infection continues to diminish as new subtypes emerge.
