BOSTON — As cases of Omicron continue to spread across the country, some experts are warning that staying outside may not provide the same protections as before. Dr Mallika Marshall explains:
Omicron subtypes BA.4 and BA.5 are highly transmitted, some say transmitted as measles, which is considered the most contagious viral disease in humans.
With previous coronavirus variants, such as alpha and delta, being outdoors provided good protection against infection, but with the latest Omicron subvariants, being in an outdoor event could be somewhat risky.
Wear a mask indoors if you are at high risk or have close contact with someone at high risk, even if you are walking inside to use the restroom or to quickly pick up something from a store . Wear a mask outside if you are going to be around others.
We used to say that if someone is around an infected person, it will take about 15 minutes to catch the virus. The 15-minute rule no longer applies. You can still get COVID if you have a brief encounter with an infected person.
Prior infection with another Omicron subvariant provides some immunity against BA.4 and BA.5, but it is not absolute.
These new subtypes have additional mutations in the spike protein that allow them to evade immunity, so even if you had COVID earlier this year, don’t assume you’re clear of getting it again.
Having COVID more than once can increase your risk of being hospitalized and getting COVID for a longer period of time. That said, even with these new subtypes, getting vaccinated and increased will protect you from serious illness and death.
Mallika Marshall, MD
