Health authorities in Taiwan have reported 17 more cases of travelers infected with the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. That brings the country to a total of 48 cases detected so far.
Data suggests BA.4 and BA.5 are more infectious than other subvariants of Omicron. In the United States, the two subvariants are already causing more than one in five of new COVID infections. And public health experts say the subvariants could cause another wave in Taiwan.
At a press briefing on Friday, Taiwan health authorities said there is no sign that the subvariants cause a higher risk of severe illness. They are continuing to encourage people to get vaccinated to avoid becoming seriously ill.