São Paulo identifies first cases of the omicron subvariant BQ.1 of the coronavirus

The Secretary of State for Health (SES) confirmed this Monday (7) the first two cases of the new variant Ômicron BQ. 1.1 in the city of São Paulo.

Underlining is associated with the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in Europe and the United States. In Brazil, the first cases were confirmed in Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul.

The confirmation of the variant was made by Fiocruz through genetic sequencing. The cases are now under epidemiological investigation by the Municipal and State Surveillance.

“The behavior of a virus can be different in different places due to demographic and climatic factors, for example. The State Surveillance, through the Center for Strategic Information on Health Surveillance (Cievs), monitors, accompanies and assists in investigations, in real time of all Variant of Concern (VOC = Variant Of Concern), such as delta, alpha, beta, gamma and the omicron.
The measures already known to the population are still crucial to combat the coronavirus pandemic: hand hygiene (with soap and water or gel alcohol); and vaccination against Covid”, says SES in a note to Sheet.

“The BQ.1 variant has shown a transmission capacity that worries health authorities in different countries. This variant has been related to the increase in the numbers of new cases in different regions.”, said in a note Richard Steiner Salvato, coordinator of Surveillance. Genomics in the state.

According to Alberto Chebabo, president of the SBI (Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases), the new subvariant manages to evade antibodies, “both produced by those who were vaccinated and by the natural infection, which increases its ability to cause infection”.

“The main concern is in relation to that portion of the population that is late or has not had the booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, as these individuals are more susceptible to contracting the disease, but also having a more severe presentation”, he added. Salvato. In Rio Grande do Sul alone, there are more than 3 million people with delayed booster doses.

In addition to the need to complete the vaccination schedule, the folder reinforced measures such as wearing a mask and carrying out tests to confirm the diagnosis.