China: Shanghai announced the detection of a new sub-variant of Omicron

Shanghai authorities have detected a case of coronavirus involving a new sub-variant of Omicron BA.5, Omicron BA.5.2.1, an official announced at a press briefing today, signaling the difficulties China is facing in managing its new variants. of coronavirus as it implements its “zero cases” policy.

The case, which was detected in Pudong District on July 8, is linked to an overseas case, said Zhao Dandan, the deputy director of the city’s health commission.

Shanghai in eastern China emerged from a lockdown that lasted about two months in early June but continued to impose strict restrictions by quarantining buildings and apartment complexes as new possible chains of transmission emerged.

“Our city continues to record more positive cases from community transmission and the risk of epidemiological spread through society remains very high,” he warned.

According to Zhao, residents in several central Shanghai districts will be tested for the coronavirus in two rounds – from July 12 to 14 – in an effort to check for possible new outbreaks of the virus.

The Omicron BA.5 variant, which is responsible for a new wave of cases abroad, was first detected in China on May 13 in a 37-year-old patient who had flown to Shanghai from Uganda, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Disease Prevention.

The BA.5 variant has been shown to have an accelerated transmission rate and improved immune evasion ability, said Yuan Zhenggan, a member of the city’s coronavirus prevention expert committee, speaking at a press briefing today.

But he added that vaccination remains effective in preventing serious illness or death from BA.5.