Article updated on 21-12-2021
Public health officials revealed the presence of a new strain of COVID 19 to WHO on 24 November 2021 and was classified as a variant of concern by WHO on 26 November 2021. This virus, named COVID’s Omicron variant, is not something you should take lightly. Information from South Africa says that the variant has a large number of mutations and has caused a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology. Infano answers some FAQs.
What is COVID’s Omicron variant?
The World Health Organization has warned the new Covid-19 omicron variant is spreading faster than any previous strain, and it is probably present in most countries of the world.
“Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a Covid update in Geneva. “Seventy-seven countries have now reported cases of omicron. And the reality is that omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet.”
Is this variant dangerous?
Reports say that people with Omicron can have the full spectrum of disease, everything from asymptomatic infection, mild infection, people needing hospitalization, and people have died from Omicron. It has so far been noted that Omicron may be less severe compared to Delta. But if cases rise then so will hospitalizations, and if a health care system is overburdened, people will die because they won’t get the appropriate care that they need.
“Now, don’t be fooled”, says Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, a member of the Health Emergencies Program at the World Health Organization. “Even if we have a virus that causes less severe disease, this virus can affect vulnerable populations. And we know people with underlying conditions, people of advanced age, if they are infected with any variant of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron, they are at an increased risk of developing severe disease. So, it is really critical that even if we do see more mild disease, we still do everything that we can to reduce transmission in all populations, people who are vaccinated, as well as people who are not vaccinated”.
The Current State of COVID’s Omicron Variant
Omicron is more contagious and spreads faster but it is not yet clear whether the strain causes more mild or severe disease than the past variants of the coronavirus. Omicron has been detected in more than 77 countries, but it’s likely that it’s present in other countries as well. Businesses around the world are still meeting new rules for monitoring the epidemic. Questions still surround the transmission of Omicron, re-infection with this virus, or severe disease. WHO is working to find the answer by understanding the possible impact on vaccine effectiveness. Studies are on to find out more about the following:
- Transmissibility, or ease of spread from person to person, of Omicron as compared to other variants
- Severity of infection and re-infection with Omicron
- Performance of current COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron
- Performance of diagnostic tests, including antigen tests, to detect infection with Omicron
- Effectiveness of current treatments for management of patients with COVID-19 disease
A recent update from www.indiatoday.in says “South Africa-based Discovery Health CEO Dr Ryan Noach, has updated that while doctors have noted a slightly different set of symptoms among the patients diagnosed with Omicron, the most common early sign includes a scratchy throat and nasal congestion. The symptoms were also confirmed among patients in the UK, who had four symptoms as well including headache and fatigue. An analysis of cases between December 3 and December 10 in the UK showed that ‘predominantly’ cold-like symptoms were the most common signs of Omicron. The symptoms reported in the ZOE Symptom Tracking Study are runny nose, headache, fatigue (either mild or severe), sneezing and sore throat.”
How You Can Stay Safe
Even though the vaccine is highly effective, there are some instances when someone will be infected even after being vaccinated themselves. In these cases, you could also be spreading the virus to unsuspecting people as well – making it extremely important to practice protective measures.
Every individual needs to practice regular and safety protocols despite vaccination. With the recent outbreaks and the disease spreading across countries, it is paramount to be mindful and prevent infection each and every day.
To protect yourself and others from COVID-19 variants it is important that you continue to practice the following:
- Keep a distance of at least 1 metre from others
- Wear a well-fitted mask over your mouth and nose
- Open windows
- Cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue
- Clean your hands frequently
- Get vaccinated, as soon as it is your turn
In fact, WHO suggests that people avoid traveling to countries where they are most common or where outbreaks are reported. However, if you cannot stay away from high-risk areas, there are ways to try and minimize your risk of infection. So it is better to stay safe to stay healthy.
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