Currently, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron, which recently lead to a spike in COVID cases in South Africa, have overtaken the so-called "stealth Omicron", becoming dominant in the U.S.. The pair is also a prevalent subvariant increasing the COVID count in India. While the BA.4 and BA.5 are not thought to be dangerous and are said to cause mild symptoms, given that it can evade both natural and vaccine-induced immunity, it spreads more easily and more efficiently.