KARACHI:The covid virus is constantly evolving and we will continue to see new variants be part of the growing pandemic. A pair of new subvariants of the dominant Omicron variant – BA.4 and BA.5 have been identified and are seen to be more transmissible than previous forms of the virus.

According to information released by Sindh health department on Monday, currently 4 of the samples tested for Covid Variants in Sindh are BA.4, and 12 BA.5. The Health Department will continue to advise the community at large to practice all covid SOPs, get the booster shot of the vaccine and avoid large gatherings of people unless absolutely necessary.

The variants BA.4 and BA.5 were first detected in South Africa in January and February of this year. Now there are increasing cases being detected in the UK. According to initial data, BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 may have evolved to infect lung cells, rather than upper respiratory tract tissue – making them more similar to earlier variants, such as Alpha or Delta.