AMMAN – Epidemiologists said
that the spread of the sub-strain of
Omicron mutant, “PA2”, can extend the
duration of the fourth wave, or possibly cause a fifth wave, according to Al
Ghad News.
اضافة اعلان
Called “hidden Omicron” for its ability to
hide itself in a more complex way than the previous mutant, it spreads even more rapidly, 1.8
percent faster than Omicron, they said, adding that people infected with this
sub-strain have more severe symptoms than those due to Omicron, and this can
put pressure on the health system and increase the number of hospital
admissions, and even deaths.
The sub-strain, which is responsible
for a third of the total Omicron infections, is also spreading fast because
schools and different productive sectors are back in business, and because of the
low rates of vaccination, especially with the third dose, which only 10 percent
of the population received.
Member of the
National Committee for Epidemiology Mohannad Al-Nsour said that the spread of PA2 will not cause a
fifth wave, but it will raise the rate of infections and hospitalizations.
Specialist in internal diseases,
pulmonary and sleep medicine
Mohammad Hassan Al-Tarawneh said that the ease of
restriction is bound to extend the wave, especially since few people got their
booster vaccine and those with two doses of vaccine do not exceed 45 percent of
the population.
Tarawneh called for keeping pace with
the treatment protocol, especially in the case of the elderly and people at high-risk.
Health Ministry’s Secretary-General
of Epidemiological Affairs
Adel Al-Balbisi said that the government seeks to maintain
the balance between the health situation and education, and stressed that the
number of patients admitted to hospitals due to the new virus did not exceed 1,050.
He also said that the number of
infections is expected to increase next week due to the return to school.
Epidemiologist Abdul Rahman Al-Maani
said that the PA2 not only spreads faster, but may cause more severe symptoms.
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