<p>The infectious Coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Over time, like all other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 also changes itself. The majority of changes have little to no effect on the characteristics of the virus, but some changes might impact how easily the virus spreads, the severity, or the effectiveness of vaccines.&nbsp;The virus variants so far are categorized by WHO as Variants of Interest (VOIs), Variants under monitoring (VUMs) and Variants of Concern (VOCs).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is BF.7 variant?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>SARS-CoV-2 tree sprouts branches and sub-branches meaning as the viruses mutate they change creates lineages and sub-lineages. The Omicron variant comprises four lineages including B.1.1.529, BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3. WHO on 26 November 2021 designated variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron.</p>

<p>The BF.7 also called by the name BA.5.2.1.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron sub-lineage BA.5. As per reports, BF.7 sub-variant has a higher neutralisation resistance meaning antibodies from a vaccinated or infected individual were less likely to destroy BF.7 than the original coronavirus that spread worldwide in 2020. This is not the first time BF.7 is detected as BF.7 accounted for more than 5% of US cases and 7.26% of UK cases in October.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>BF.7 in India, is it a Variant of Concern?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants of Omicron were responsible for the January 2022 wave in India. However,&nbsp;India experienced extremely few cases of BF.7. Now the global concern around COVID situation in China has increased. In India, four cases have been found so far of BF.7, two cases each in Gujarat and Odisha. In Odisha, the Omicron BF.7 was detected in a sample testing on 30 September. As per&nbsp;Odisha Health and Family Welfare department cited by multiple media outlets, at the time of testing, BF.7 was neither a VOC (Variant of Concern) nor VOI (Variant of Interest).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Are vaccines effective on BF.7?</strong></h2>

<p>The virus has mutated many times over since the beginning of 2020. As per reports, the Omicron variants are known to evade the immune response from most vaccines currently in use however getting vaccination is still advisable as it prevents death, as per medical experts.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Transmission</strong></h2>

<p>The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel unwell.</p>

<p>Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Symptoms</strong></h2>

<p>The most common symptoms are fever, cough, tiredness and loss of taste or smell. The less common symptoms are sore throat, headache, aches and pains, diarrhoea, a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes and red or irritated eyes. Serious symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, loss of speech or mobility, confusion and chest pain.</p>

<h2><strong>How to protect yourself?</strong></h2>

<p>The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance. Choose open, well-ventilated spaces over closed ones. Open a window if indoors.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/coronavirus-live-coverage-covid-latest-news-chaos-in-china-new-guidelines-in-india-pm-modi-to-chair-covid-review-meet-545359"><strong>Check Coronavirus Live Updates here</strong></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The infectious Coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Over time, like all other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 also changes itself. The majority of changes have little to no effect on the characteristics of the virus, but some changes might impact how easily the virus spreads, the severity, or the effectiveness of vaccines.

The infectious Coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Over time, like all other viruses, SARS-CoV-2 also changes itself. The majority of changes have little to no effect on the characteristics of the virus, but some changes might impact how easily the virus spreads, the severity, or the effectiveness of vaccines. The virus variants so far are categorized by WHO as Variants of Interest (VOIs), Variants under monitoring (VUMs) and Variants of Concern (VOCs). What is BF.7 variant? SARS-CoV-2 tree sprouts branches and sub-branches meaning as the viruses mutate they change creates lineages and sub-lineages. The Omicron variant comprises four lineages including B.1.1.529, BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3. WHO on 26 November 2021 designated variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron. The BF.7 also called by the name BA.5.2.1.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron sub-lineage BA.5. As per reports, BF.7 sub-variant has a higher neutralisation resistance meaning antibodies from a vaccinated or infected individual were less likely to destroy BF.7 than the original coronavirus that spread worldwide in 2020. This is not the first time BF.7 is detected as BF.7 accounted for more than 5% of US cases and 7.26% of UK cases in October. BF.7 in India, is it a Variant of Concern? The BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants of Omicron were responsible for the January 2022 wave in India. However, India experienced extremely few cases of BF.7. Now the global concern around COVID situation in China has increased. In India, four cases have been found so far of BF.7, two cases each in Gujarat and Odisha. In Odisha, the Omicron BF.7 was detected in a sample testing on 30 September. As per Odisha Health and Family Welfare department cited by multiple media outlets, at the time of testing, BF.7 was neither a VOC (Variant of Concern) nor VOI (Variant of Interest). Are vaccines effective on BF.7? The virus has mutated many times over since the beginning of 2020. As per reports, the Omicron variants are known to evade the immune response from most vaccines currently in use however getting vaccination is still advisable as it prevents death, as per medical experts. Transmission The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel unwell. Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age. Symptoms The most common symptoms are fever, cough, tiredness and loss of taste or smell. The less common symptoms are sore throat, headache, aches and pains, diarrhoea, a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes and red or irritated eyes. Serious symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, loss of speech or mobility, confusion and chest pain. How to protect yourself? The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance. Choose open, well-ventilated spaces over closed ones. Open a window if indoors. Check Coronavirus Live Updates here

EXPLAINED: What is BF.7, the new variant behind China's COVID wave, are available vaccines effective?

<p>China reported its highest number of new COVID-19 infections in six months Sunday, recording 4,420 new locally transmitted infections. Just a day earlier, health officials had said the country was sticking to strict zero-Covid rules, thwarting hopes of the economy reopening. The National Health Commission reported that the number was the highest since May 6. A day earlier, 3,659 new local cases had been recorded.</p>

<p>The southern city of Guangzhou reported 66 new locally transmitted symptomatic and 1,259 asymptomatic cases, compared with 111 symptomatic and 635 asymptomatic cases a day before, authorities said. Beijing reported 43 symptomatic and six asymptomatic cases, compared with 37 symptomatic and five asymptomatic cases the previous day.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-curbs-in-china-will-likely-hit-iphone-14-shipments-wait-time-to-increase-apple-says-531730">Covid curbs in China will likely hit iPhone 14 shipments, wait time to increase, Apple says</a></p>

<p>Even as the rest of the world has reopened, lockdowns, quarantines and frequent testing still are the norm in China. Businesses have suffered with Apple saying Sunday that the curbs will affect the iPhone 14 shipments and people will have to wait for longer to get their devices.</p>

<p>At a news conference on Saturday, health officials had once again stressed on their "dynamic-clearing" approach to COVID cases as soon as they emerge.</p>

<p>China's anti-COVID measures are "completely correct, as well as the most economical and effective", said disease control official Hu Xiang. "We should adhere to the principle of putting people and lives first, and the broader strategy of preventing imports from outside and internal rebounds."</p>

<p>Chinese stocks saw an uptick last week after reports of a possible easing of the COVID curbs emerged. The local media had also reported that some tweaks to policy might happen. But none of it happened.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-business-news-chinas-export-growth-unexpectedly-contracts-531795/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several experts believe that they do not expect significant easing to begin until after China's annual parliamentary session in March.</p>

<p>Goldman Sachs analysts said Saturday's announcement showed "the government still needs to keep its zero-COVID policy until all preparations are done. This may take a few months, in our view," they wrote. Their current "baseline" expectation was for a reopening in the April-June quarter.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Beijing marathon took place on Sunday morning under strict protocols, after being cancelled the previous two years.</p>

<p>Around 26,000 participants registered for the event that was held in central Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Runners were required to take PCR tests for the three days leading up to the race and not to leave Beijing for seven days.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


China reported its highest number of new COVID-19 infections in six months Sunday, recording 4,420 new locally transmitted infections. Just a day earlier, health officials had said the country was sticking to strict zero-Covid rules, thwarting hopes of the economy reopening.

China reported its highest number of new COVID-19 infections in six months Sunday, recording 4,420 new locally transmitted infections. Just a day earlier, health officials had said the country was sticking to strict zero-Covid rules, thwarting hopes of the economy reopening. The National Health Commission reported that the number was the highest since May 6. A day earlier, 3,659 new local cases had been recorded. The southern city of Guangzhou reported 66 new locally transmitted symptomatic and 1,259 asymptomatic cases, compared with 111 symptomatic and 635 asymptomatic cases a day before, authorities said. Beijing reported 43 symptomatic and six asymptomatic cases, compared with 37 symptomatic and five asymptomatic cases the previous day. Also Read | Covid curbs in China will likely hit iPhone 14 shipments, wait time to increase, Apple says Even as the rest of the world has reopened, lockdowns, quarantines and frequent testing still are the norm in China. Businesses have suffered with Apple saying Sunday that the curbs will affect the iPhone 14 shipments and people will have to wait for longer to get their devices. At a news conference on Saturday, health officials had once again stressed on their "dynamic-clearing" approach to COVID cases as soon as they emerge. China's anti-COVID measures are "completely correct, as well as the most economical and effective", said disease control official Hu Xiang. "We should adhere to the principle of putting people and lives first, and the broader strategy of preventing imports from outside and internal rebounds." Chinese stocks saw an uptick last week after reports of a possible easing of the COVID curbs emerged. The local media had also reported that some tweaks to policy might happen. But none of it happened. × Several experts believe that they do not expect significant easing to begin until after China's annual parliamentary session in March. Goldman Sachs analysts said Saturday's announcement showed "the government still needs to keep its zero-COVID policy until all preparations are done. This may take a few months, in our view," they wrote. Their current "baseline" expectation was for a reopening in the April-June quarter. Meanwhile, the Beijing marathon took place on Sunday morning under strict protocols, after being cancelled the previous two years. Around 26,000 participants registered for the event that was held in central Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Runners were required to take PCR tests for the three days leading up to the race and not to leave Beijing for seven days. (With inputs from agencies)

Despite strict curbs in place, China Covid cases touch a 6-month high

china-covid-cases-increase

China Covid Cases Increase, News on China Covid Cases Increase, stories on China Covid Cases Increase, articles on China Covid Cases Increase, China Covid Cases Increase stories at Wion, China Covid Cases Increase news, China Covid Cases Increase latest news

china covid-cases-increase

EXPLAINED: What is BF.7, the new variant behind China's COVID wave, are available vaccines effective?

Despite strict curbs in place, China Covid cases touch a 6-month high