Coronavirus Watch: What to know about the BA. 5 variant

The BA.5 subvariant of omicron continues to dominate the summer wave of COVID-19 in the U.S., making up nearly 80% of new cases, according to a CDC model.

While some people don't experience any symptoms with BA.5, experts say those who do can expect to feel sick for few days up to a few weeks.

There's limited data to support whether a person can get BA.5 twice, but health experts say it's unlikely to happen within the first month after infection. 

Read more from reporter Adrianna Rodriguez on what you should know about BA.5.

It's Thursday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the Paste BN Network. Here's more news to know:

• The CDC this week unanimously recommended Novavax, the first so-called protein vaccine against COVID-19, as a new option for Americans who've not yet received a shot.
• Chinese authorities apologized this week for breaking into the apartments of residents taken to a quarantine hotel in an attempt to find "close contacts" hiding inside and to disinfect the homes.
• House Jan. 6 committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, just days before the panel's last hearing before summer recess.

See our COVID-19 resource guide here. See total reported cases and deaths here. On vaccinations: About 78% of people in the U.S. have received at least one vaccine shot, and about 67% are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

– Cady Stanton, Paste BN Nation NOW reporter, @cady_stanton