Since they can coexist with other viruses that affect the population, like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, recombinant variants of omicron and the subvariants BQ.1.1 and XBB, which are currently circulating in some countries, could cause new waves of COVID-19 infection and create a greater demand for medical attention. The warning was given by the virologist Robert Paulino, who explained that it is not just important that one variant overlaps another, but also the mutational profile of the virus, its capacity to evade the immune system, and its capacity to coexist with other viruses that are affecting the population. He specifically mentioned the influenza virus and the respiratory syncytial virus, both of which are widespread in the nation.
The Dominican Republic currently records a high incidence of respiratory illnesses, mostly linked to viruses A and B of seasonal influenza, which is raising the need for medical care in public facilities and among the underprivileged while maintaining surveillance of diseases like dengue, cholera, and monkeypox, among others. The expert explained that in countries of the global north, the XBB, BQ.1.1, and BA.2.75 recombine variants. 2, all sub variants of Omicron, are driving the rise in cases. They have been linked to the COVID-19 virus and have been identified in some countries.
He emphasized that the pandemic is a brand-new phenomenon that follows an escalation of recombinant variants and sub-variants that are moving at a rate that hasn’t been seen in previous years.