The recent surge in new cases of infection with the novel coronavirus can partly be attributed to the emergence of the omicron subvariant BA.5, according to an expert advisory body to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
Other factors, such as immunity acquired by vaccination or past infection gradually wearing off, and an increase in person-to-person contact, are also contributing to the rise, the experts said.
According to some reports, the BA.5 subvariant is 20% more transmissible than the currently prevalent BA.2.
