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7 samples (6 in Sofia-city and 1 in Kyustendil) with sub-variant BA.5 of Omicron were found in Bulgaria after cellogenomic sequencing of 88 samples taken from patients with SARS-CoV-2, the Ministry of Health announced. 

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The coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) 31686

The samples were taken in the period May 5 - June 3, and were sent by 13 different medical institutions from 16 districts of the country.

In all 88 clinical samples, the viral variant Omicron was identified, and the ratio of subvariants was as follows: BA.2 (76.1%), BA.2 and its subvariants in total (92%).

BA.5 was detected in 8% of the tested samples. 

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In May 2022, two sub-variants of Omicron - BA.4 and BA.5, were declared by the WHO and ECDC as "options of concern".

The sub-variants of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 were first established in South Africa in January and February 2022, respectively, and are now dominant there.

BA.4 and BA.5 have many of the mutations inherent in the originally established Omicron variant, but have more in common with the BA.2 variant.

They have a number of additional mutations, some of which can change the characteristics of the virus.

Both new variants carry the L452R mutation - a mutation in the gene for the so-called thorn protein, which was previously found only in the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Thorn protein is important because it is used by the virus to infect human cells and determines how easily the virus is transmitted.

This mutation makes the virus more contagious and can help it partially evade immune protection.



For the last week a 50% increase in the incidence of COVID-19 has been registered in Bulgaria.

An increase is also reported in the weekly positivity of the tests performed - 9.98% of the tests performed are positive, which is an increase of 73%.

Data from the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases show that as of June 29, the 14-day morbidity in the country is 56.69 per 100,000 population.

In view of the growing number of cases of COVID-19 in the country and the already established in Bulgaria sub-option BA.5 of Omicron, the Ministry of Health calls for:   



Citizens with complaints and symptoms characteristic of COVID-19 (headache, severe fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, loss of appetite, etc.) should be isolated and consult a doctor.

If you have complaints, even a mild cold, postpone your meetings with other people to prevent them from becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2.



It is highly recommended to wear protective face masks indoors and in crowded places - public transport, shopping malls, shops, bazaars, train stations, bus stops, etc.

Keep a distance in public places, if possible avoid places where many people gather at the same time.



Wash your hands with soap and water, and if this is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.



Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the surest way to protect against serious illness, hospitalization and long-term health consequences.

The elderly, as well as all others whose immunity is weakened, are particularly at risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2.

People who belong to this risk group and all those suffering from chronic diseases are advised to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as early as possible.

Vaccines against COVID-19 also protect against severe disease when infected with Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5.



In Bulgaria, the administration of a second booster of mRNA vaccine in persons over 18 years of age, whose completed vaccination course is with a two-dose vaccine, is already permitted.

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The coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19)

Omicron - the new coronavirus variant