Introduction
The BA.5 variant of the coronavirus is a highly contagious strain of the virus that has been spreading rapidly across the United States. This variant is believed to be more contagious than the original strain, and it has been linked to a higher rate of hospitalizations and deaths. As of April 2021, the BA.5 variant is “out of control” in several states, including California, Florida, Michigan, and New York. In this article, we’ll take a look at the states where the BA.5 variant is “out of control” and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. We’ll also provide some tips on how to eat healthy during this time.
States Where the BA.5 Variant is “Out of Control”
The BA.5 variant of the coronavirus is quickly becoming one of the most concerning variants in the United States. This variant, which was first identified in the United Kingdom, is believed to be more contagious than other variants and is now spreading rapidly in several states. Here are the states where the BA.5 variant is “out of control” and what you need to know.
California
California is one of the states where the BA.5 variant is spreading quickly. The variant has been identified in several counties in the state, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Clara. Health officials are urging residents to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.
Florida
Florida is another state where the BA.5 variant is spreading quickly. The variant has been identified in several counties in the state, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Health officials are urging residents to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.
New York
New York is another state where the BA.5 variant is spreading quickly. The variant has been identified in several counties in the state, including New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk. Health officials are urging residents to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.
Texas
Texas is another state where the BA.5 variant is spreading quickly. The variant has been identified in several counties in the state, including Harris, Dallas, and Tarrant. Health officials are urging residents to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.
What You Can Do
If you live in one of the states where the BA.5 variant is spreading quickly, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect yourself and your family. Wear a mask when you’re out in public, practice social distancing, and avoid large gatherings. It’s also important to get tested regularly and to follow the guidelines set by your local health department.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BA.5 has become the dominant strain of COVID in the United States. The highly contagious subvariant is able to elude protection provided by vaccines and prior infection, so it’s important to take precautions (like masking in public places) in areas where transmission is high. These are the five states with the highest increases in COVID cases, according to data collected by the New York Times. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
New COVID cases are up 85% in Kentucky in the last two weeks—the biggest increase in the nation—and hospitalizations are up 13%, the New York Times reports. Thirty-seven counties in the state are at “high” levels of community spread, says the Lexington Herald-Leader. In these “red” areas, residents are encouraged to wear a face mask in public places. “The No. 1 thing you can do if you’re in a red county, to protect yourself, is get vaccinated. And if you’re vaccinated, get boosted. If you have all that, good, consider wearing a mask,” Gov. Andy Beshear said last week.
In Georgia, new COVID cases are also up 85% compared to two weeks ago, tying Kentucky for the nation’s largest COVID increase. Experts say the high contagiousness of subvariant BA.5 is responsible. “It borders into the territory of measles, which is the most infectious agent we know of,’ epidemiologist Dr. Felipe Lobelo told Fox 5 Atlanta. “And, because it’s so transmissible, we know what happens when millions of people get exposed to the virus. You’re going to have not only lots of cases, but the potential for increased hospitalizations and deaths, unfortunately. We’re starting to see a surge in hospitalizations not only in Georgia but across the country.”
In North Carolina, new cases are up 63% over two weeks ago, according to the Times tracker. “”The virus is tweaking itself to be more infectious,” Dr. David Wohl, UNC Health infectious diseases expert, told ABC 11 this week. “What we’re talking about is a virus that’s a little bit more catchy than the previous version.”
In Arkansas, new COVID cases are up 58% compared to 14 days ago, and hospitalizations are up 46% in the same time period. The state’s health director told KUAR why BA.5 seems to be more contagious. “One is that it does a very good job of multiplying itself in people’s upper airways, so they can spread it more easily,” said Dr. Jennifer Dillaha. “Two, it is different enough from the previous variants that it poses a certain amount of what we call ‘immune escape,’ so that people who have had COVID-19 can get infected again with this variant.”
She noted that evidence suggests reinfections may cause more severe disease. “Each infection does some damage, and it can be cumulative. And then it also means that that cumulative damage can predispose you to what we could call a chronic condition,” she said.
Texas has seen the nation’s fifth-largest jump in COVID cases in the last two weeks: 37%. “These two new subvariants that we’re seeing in BA.4 and BA.5 seem to be causing more disease in the lung tissue than the omicron variant that we had circulating in the January, February timeframe,” Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority, told KXAN on July 8. There is evidence that these subvariants cause more severe disease than earlier iterations of Omicron. And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Michael Martin