As cases rise with the new BA.5 subvariant, a new study suggests COVID is really not like a cold or flu and can cause lasting health problems.
Those that have had two or more cases of COVID had more than twice the risk of dying. They also are 3 times more likely to be hospitalized within 6 months of their last infection.
"That's the problem with this damn thing. Just when you think you got it figured out, understand the dimensions of it, it comes up with a new curve ball and it's like that I used to think two months ago no longer works," said Dr. Bob Wachter, the Chair of UCSF Medicine . Dr. Wachter adds some of the health problems include strokes and heart attacks. He doesn't see a statewide mask mandate returning but warns this is the time to take precautions with the new BA.5 subvariant spreading rapidly.
"There's a ton of cases around and a variant that is far more infectious than ever before. And that vaccination and prior infection don't work as well as they used to in preventing new cases." Dr. Wachter still advises those that need to get the booster to get the shot. While it may not stop you from catching COVID, he says it's effective in preventing severe illness.