Experts say they are keeping a close eye on 2 COVID subvariants they say could end up factoring into the next wave of the pandemic.
The BQ.1.1 and BA.2.75.2 subvariants are both raising concerns in scientific circles because of mutations that could help them more effectively evade immunity from vaccination and prior infection.
Meanwhile, in Ontario viral activity could already be ticking up without either subvariant spreading widely. The thing that concerns me, though, is that our healthcare system just isn't as well equipped as it has been in the past to care for these additional stresses.” While BQ.1.1. and BA.2.75.2 may be able to evade some of the immunity provided to individuals who take Evusheld, initial data does suggest that other antiviral treatments like Pfizer's Paxlovid pill hold up relatively well against the new subvariants.That is the million dollar question. So far only 23 instances of BA.2.75.2 have beenin Ontario but its share of cases is growing quickly in India, where it was first detected. BQ.1.1, meanwhile, has not been detected in Ontario at this point.