The most recent BA.4 and BA.5 Covid-19 omicron variants have been spreading swiftly through Scotland, with a notable reinfection rate. According to Public Health Scotland 's most recent report, in the week ending July 10, 2022, 3,384 (20.5%) of all cases reported were determined to be reinfections.
While there has been a decrease in overall cases compared with the week prior, reinfections remain fairly high, nearing a quarter of all cases. While these variants are deemed to be less dangerous than earlier Covid-19 variants, there have still been 990 admissions to hospital with a positive Covid-19 test and 19 new admissions to ICUs with a laboratory confirmed test of Covid-19.
With a number of mass gatherings over the last few weeks, from TRNSMT and RMT action in Glasgow to Pride marches across the country, the new variants' reinfection rates may be concerning for some. Thankfully the UKHSA says there is "currently no evidence" that the two variants cause more serious illness than previous variants, Wales Online reports.
