The highly contagious BA.5 variant now accounts for nearly 80% of COVID cases nationwide, including President Biden’s. Cases are likely severely underreported as many Americans opt for at-home testing but fail to self-report positive results.

• Despite over 120,000 new cases on average per day, experts estimate the true number could be seven to 10 times higher.

BA.5 is not as easily deterred by vaccines and prior infections as its predecessors. But its symptoms appear milder. 

BA.5 creates increased uncertainty for employers continuing to develop their return to office plans, with state public health officials offering no new guidance. 

As hospitalization rates climb and public patience with COVID-19 restrictions wanes, it will fall to companies to adjust their RTO policies and support the health and wellbeing of their workers absent broad government action.