Everything You Need To Know About New COVID Variant “Omicron"

With recent Discovery of a new Variant of COVID ( Omicron) researchers around the world are racing to track the concerning rise of this new “variant of Concern” as listed by World Health Organization. It has been detected in few countries including the UK, Germany and Italy while other countries suspect cases of their own.

The Omicron variant has resulted in rising Concerns worldwide due to it’s worryingly numbers of mutation that might result in spreading at a quicker pace than any other COVID variant.  Furthermore the emergence of new Omicron stain has made government caution about resuming international flights around the world.

Finding and history of COVID variant “Omicron variant” :-

Omicron was first identified in Botswana earlier this month and was bought under the notice of World Health Organisation on 24 November 2021. Later on 26th of November The World Health Organization identified B.1.1.529 as a “variant of concern” and named it Omicron, as advised by the experts of Technical Advisory group on SARS-CoV -2 (TAG-VA) virus Evolution.

According to World Health Organization, the first known confirmed Omicron infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021. In these last week’s COVID cases with the new COVID variant Omicron have shot up in South  Gauteng province including Pretoria and Johannesburg. 

Series of mutation that formed the new COVID variant “Omicron”

Omicron has mutation that theoretically help it to spread more quickly. This COVID variant AKA Omicron has about 50 mutation including more than 30 mutation on the spike protein itself. The most conspicuous part of this virus is it’s spike protein that latches on the surface of the human cell. 

Furthermore, the early assessment by Network of Genomics Surveillance and TAG-VA states this new strain can be even more transmissible than the last Delta or the Alpha variant, as it can invade immunity offered by current COVID vaccines. 

Further studies have also found that some of the mutation characteristics were similar to other COVID variant as in Alpha and Delta variant which are well characterized with a known phenotypic impact that may affect the immunity of its host.  More research is being carried out to know about its transmissibility and vaccines evasion characteristics as stated by Africa Center For Disease Control. 

Are Symptoms for new COVID variant “Omicron”  Different from other?

According to South  Africa’s National Institute For Communicable Disease (NICD) “at present there are no unusual symptoms that have been reported following infection with this new COVID variant “Omicron variant”

However NICD have also stated that some COVID variant like Alpha and Delta variant, some of those individuals are asymptomatic.

What preventive measures should one follow against Omicron variant

According to the data available, high vaccination rates have significant potential to reduce the strain on health. Individuals who are yet to be vaccinated should take proper care of their diet and get vaccinated on time.

Moreover, several preventive like wearing well fitting mask, following proper hand hygiene, maintaining proper social distancing criteria, improving indoor space ventilation, avoiding crowded spaces and making sure to get vaccinated should be followed well to reduce the risk of COVID.

Can RT-PCR tests detect COVID Omicron Variant?

According to World Health Organization the current SARS-COV -2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this COVID Variant. Various labs have shown that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (known as S gene dropout or S gene Target failure) and hence this test can be used as pointer for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation, as stated by WHO.

Moreover, NICD and WHO have also said deletion within the S gene will help in rapid identification of the COVID Variant. Hence it can be safe to consider that new variant will not affect the overall PCR test sensitivity.  

Countries that are affected by new COVID variant “Omicron”

Ever since the Omicron Variant has emerged, it has been spreading at a pace across the globe. The countries including:-

The Netherlands

Total 13 cases of Omicron Variant has been reported among travellers on flights that arrived at Amsterdam from South Africa, as said by the Dutch Health authority. Further COVID test results of 600 travellers on flights revealed 62 Coronavirus cases.

Germany

The Max von Pettenkofer Institute, a Munich – based microbiology center, has confirmed Omicron Variant in two travellers who arrived on a flight from south Africa on 24 November 2021. Further information released by health officials in the state of Hesse revealed it’s 3rd case in Germany.

Australia

The Australian health department have identified two travellers positive with Omicron Variant that arrived in Sydney from South Africa on Qatar Airways flight via Doha. Further three more Cases were found in Australia. 

Italy

The first case of Omicron Variant has been announced by Italy’s Higher Institute of Health. The travellers had travelled to Mozambique. Further the National Health Institute stated the patient and the members of their family are in good health condition.

Britain – UK

In total Fourteen cases of Omicron Variant has been detected so far. Total of five cases were found in Lanarkshire area and Four cases in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as per Scotland's Health secretary Humza Yousaf. Further two unconnected cases were identified in London- one in Camden and second in Wandsworth. Three more Cases has been reported in England. 

Israel

Israel has confirmed two cases of Omicron Variant with 11 suspects, returned from abroad. The Country has closed its borders for foreign travellers. 

Hong Kong

Two cases has been reported in Hong Kong, one passenger was from South Africa and the other one is from Canada. 

Botswana

Earlier this Sunday 19 Cases of new COVID variant has been reported in Botswana, as stated by Health Minister Edwin Dikoloti in a press conference held at Gaborone. 

Portugal

Health Authority of Portugal have reported thirteen Omicron Variant cases till today. 

France

Earlier this Sunday the Health Ministry of France has detected eight cases of Omicron Variant. The country has announced to tighten restrictions.

Canada

Total five cases of Omicron Variant has been identified by Canada till today. The first cases of new variant was found in two people who had travelled recently to Nigeria on Sunday.

Austria & Denmark

According to the Health Ministry of province of Tyrol the first case of Omicron Variant was identified in the country. Denmark has also identified two cases of Omicron Variant so far.

Belgium & Switzerland

Belgium has detected one case of new COVID variant. Switzerland has also identified one case, returned to Switzerland from South Africa.

Czech Republic

One case related to Omicron Variant was identified in a female patient at a hospital in the northern city of Liberec.

Spain & Sweden

Spain confirmed it’s first case in a 51-year-old man who travelled from South Africa. Sweden has also reported it’s first Omicron Variant case who happens to travel from South Africa.

Japan

A 30 year old man has been found to be infected with Omicron variant after arriving from Namibia ar Narita airport near Tokyo on Sunday, "as stated by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno in a press conference”.

The Bottom Line

With the rising threats of new Omicron Variant, government around the world is coming in action to protect their fellow citizens. Several countries have imposed ban on international travels to stop further spread of this New COVID Variant “Omicron”. 

One must follow all preventive measures to protect themselves as well as people around them. Taking COVID vaccines will also decrease the chance of getting affected by Omicron Variant.