Anna Popova, head of the Russian Public Health Supervision Agency, reported on Wednesday that the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subtypes of the Omiclone strain of the new coronary pneumonia were found in Russia last week. They are believed to be more contagious than the country's main strains, but health authorities do not expect a significant increase in cases.
BQ.1 and its closely related offspring BQ.1.1 are both subgenes of the genomic variant of the SARS CoV-2 virus. The former is a branch of the BA.5 submutant, both currently spread in the United States and Europe. Some people call them Tifeng and Hellhound respectively.
According to Popova, the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants still dominate in Russia. She said the newly discovered strains are more contagious, but show similar symptoms and are comparable in terms of the protection provided by vaccination, according to the study.
"At this point, our scientists have not predicted any rapid and destructive growth in the number of cases," the official said. "We don't intend to introduce any restrictions because we have no reason to do so."
She predicts that respiratory infections in Russia will definitely see seasonal growth, but health authorities will still control this situation.
