Researchers in the Hampton Roads Sanitation District have been following COVID-19 variants and subvariants by tracking wastewater for nearly two years.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Living with the different subtypes of COVID-19 can be difficult, especially as the World Health Organization sends out alerts about the rise around the world.
Kyle Curtis, an environmental scientist with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, studies variants and subvariants of COVID-19. He and his team track down the wastewater, where both symptomatic and asymptomatic people release the virus.
It’s a study methodology, Curtis said, that researchers use for a variety of viruses, including influenza.
Curtis said his team saw an increase in Omicron’s latest subvariants, which are labeled BA.4 and BA.5.
“Ba.4 and Ba.5 have been increasing in proportion to the full signal over the past month,” Curtis said. “As with all other forms, once what we saw goes forward, we see that exponential growth where, for a while, it seems like small growth, but it’s actually doubling. So, It grows fast.”
This trend matches what WHO scientists said they were seeing. Top health experts say the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants have higher transmission rates than other subvariants, but the severity of this form of the virus is still unclear.
However, in Hampton Roads, Curtis said scientists are seeing a unique trend with these subvariants. He said last month’s research shows the number of cases has plateaued on the data charts, but not at a rate as low as that of Curtis and his team.
“Our data has been stable from noise,” Curtis said. “It’s a little different from what we’ve seen before, which is pretty defined upticks and then these crashes and not until you get on the wave again.”
Epidemiologist Colette Dougherty of the Chesapeake Department of Health said symptoms of the subvariant begin in the same way as the common cold or allergies.
“We’re seeing it spread more easily than the previous variants,” Dougherty said. “Mostly, we’ve seen it’s mainly upper respiratory infections.”
As people wait to be approved for a second COVID-19 booster, she said we all have to consider the rules we have followed since the start of the pandemic.
“If you have concerns about your own risk or that of others around you, consider wearing a mask in public or going to outdoor events and adopting those personal protective measures,” Dougherty said.
Dougherty said we may see a new booster in the fall, but until then, taking extra precautions is the best way to stay safe.
“I don’t want people to think we’re back to square one, because we’re not. We’re in a much better position than we were in previous years with previous waves,” Dougherty said. “That’s not to say ignore it. There are still measures we need to take as individuals to do what is best for ourselves and our community to stay healthy.”
Dougherty said it’s possible the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration will approve a second COVID-19 booster for people under the age of 50 by this fall.
However, she added that if you’re under 50, you’re not immunized, and you’re up to date on your eligible dosage, you still have a low risk of serious infection.
Dougherty said the Chesapeake Department of Health hosts a vaccine clinic every Tuesday in various locations. She said they help people of all ages, regardless of vaccination status.