BA.4 and BA.5 variants now account for more than 80% new COVID cases in country

Dr. Philip Chan with RIDOH says a wide variety of symptoms have been reported with these new subvariants.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Since the start of the pandemic we’re seen a handful of subvariants, but now Rhode Island health officials believe we’re seeing the most contagious ones yet.

Subvariants BA.4 and BA.5– which now account for over 80% of all new COVID cases in the country, according to the White House.

Dr. Jay Schuur, the chief of emergency medicine at Lifespan, said these subvariants are spreading more because of its mutations — impacting those who have had COVID and who have been vaccinated.

“When a virus changes or mutates, it can change ways that make it look different to your immune system,” Dr. Schuur said, adding this brings into questions how long any type of immunity lasts. “What we don’t know is if you got this in December, how much immunity you have now.”

Dr. Philip Chan, who’s with the Department of Health, said a wide variety of symptoms have been reported with these new subvariants.

“Some variants are more likely to cause loss of smell and taste, some not as much. It’s likely there are different profiles to these emerging variants. We have to wait to learn more,” Chan added.

Click here to see Rhode Island’s recent COVID numbers reported by the state.