Substrain behind most COVID-19 cases in China

The EG.5, a substrain of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, has become the most infectious source of coronavirus in China, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Saturday.

COVID-19 infections caused by EG.5 in China have risen to 71.6 percent in August from just 0.6 percent in April, the center said, adding that the World Health Organization classified the EG.5 as a "variant of interest" but said it did not pose more of a threat than other variants.

The center said the public should not worry about the new strain as most people have gained immunity from the wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant from April to June and it can also protect them from being infected by EG.5.

Furthermore, the spread of the EG.5 has not put big pressure on the medical system so far and is unlikely to create large-scale outbreaks in a short time, it added.

Also, there is no evidence indicating that EG.5 can cause severe symptoms despite the number of people admitted to hospitals after being infected have increased in some countries such as the United States. Japan and South Korea, the center said.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that while the overall risk is low, based on its genetic features, immune escape characteristics and growth rate estimates, EG.5 may spread globally and contribute to a surge in case incidence.

The center still advised the elderly and those who suffer from severe underlying diseases to better protect themselves by wearing masks while taking public transportation or going to indoor public areas.