NATIONAL NEWS - "The BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants were identified because South Africa is still doing the vital genetic sequencing that many other countries have stopped doing. In many countries we’re essentially blind to how the virus is mutating. We don’t know what’s coming next." 

This is according to World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

He spoke at a press conference on Wednesday 4 May saying reported cases and deaths from COVID-19 are continuing to decline, with reported weekly deaths at their lowest since March 2020. However, these trends don’t tell the full story.

"Driven by Omicron sub-variants, we are seeing an increase in reported cases in the Americas and Africa. The South African scientists who identified Omicron late last year have now reported two more Omicron sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5, as the reason for a spike in cases in South Africa. It’s too soon to know whether these new sub-variants can cause more severe disease than other Omicron sub-variants, but early data suggest vaccination remains protective against severe disease and death."

Ghebreyesus said the best way to protect people remains vaccination, "alongside tried and tested public health and social measures".

He said vaccinating at least 70% of the population of every country – including 100% of the most at-risk groups – remains the best way to save lives, protect health systems and minimise cases of long COVID. Testing and sequencing are also critical.

He aired concern that highly effective antivirals are still not accessible to people in low and middle-income countries. 

"Low availability and high prices have led some countries to rule out buying these life-saving treatments. ACT Accelerator partners are engaged in price negotiations to lower prices and increase availability. Coupled with low investment in early diagnosis, it is simply not acceptable that in the worst pandemic in a century, innovative treatments that can save lives are not reaching those that need them.

"We’re playing with a fire that continues to burn us. Meanwhile, manufacturers are posting record profits. WHO supports fair reward for innovation, but we cannot accept prices that make life-saving treatments available to the rich and out of reach for the poor. This is a moral failing."

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