Omicron Variant Symptoms and Cases: Everything we know about New COVID variant found in SA

new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 named by World Health Organization as Omicron and classified as ‘variant of concern’ [VOC] originated in South Africa and was shared with international database on 22 vember. strain has worried scientists and health community as it is most potent version of SARS-CoV-2 variant discovered yet owing to its complex genetic code. protein spike for variant has over 50 mutations, with more than 30 on spike protein that makes it much more transmissible than w dominant Delta variant that has ravd global epicenter of Europe.

What is Omicron COVID variant? 

heavily mutated variant B.1.1.529 is a major "cause for concern” for virologists as it has an "awful spike" mutation profile. It has been detected in several confirmed cases of coronavirus in South Africa where Beta variant was detected. w being described as a ‘dangerous’ variant due to an "extremely high" number of mutations and scientists are skeptical about how effective vaccines will be against it. It has been found that highly contagious variant B.1.1.529 is at moment confined to just one province in South Africa but has shockingly spre in just less than 2 weeks. Omicron variant w dominates all infections following a devastating Delta wave in South Africa w at 75% of last gemes and is soon to reach 100%.

Omicron variant cases

With genetic changes that affect virus characteristics such as transmissibility, disease severity, immune escape, diagstic,new Omicorn variant has been detected in at least ten confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa. As per Tulio de Oliveira, Ph.D., Director of Centre for Epidemic Response & invation (CERI) in South Africa, B.1.1529 variant is w present in 90% of cases in Gauteng. epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, WHO informed. AT this time, as WHO studies variant furr, it is being speculated that infections from  B.1.1.529 variant have increased steeply as well as cases, but y are coinciding with Delta variant. 

Omicron variant vaccine

Vaccine manufacturers have scrambled to figure out if new highly transmissible Omicron will eve vaccine, and are w figuring out ways to tweak jabs to make it effective on B.1.1.529. Leing pharmaceutical firms such as Pfizer's manufacturer BioNTech SE are waiting for more data to help determine wher its mRNA vaccine would have to be reworked. Omicron variant is capable of completely eving body’s immune response, as per scientists. Any new mutation of coronavirus that is able to spre faster and eve vaccines is a cause for threat for world that is battling dely delta variant upsurge. With over 32 mutations in spike protein, double number associated with Delta variant, Omicron variant has rattled science and medical community that is worried about vaccine protection. 

What does Omicron mean and number of cases detected in India so far

Omicron is 15th letter of Greek alphabet and WHO has declared  variant to be "of concern" and named it so. In India, cases of new COVID-19 variant, which has a large number of mutations have been detected so far, news ncy ANI reported on Friday citing government officials.

Omicron Covid Variant Symptoms, transmissibility

As several countries have grounded flights with South Africa and imposed health safety restrictions, including w rolling recommendations for mask visory, it is yet to be established wher COVID-19 disease-causing ‘Omicron’ variant is more transmissible or causes more severe disease or as is case with or variants, displays asymptomatic infections, South African experts have told Associated Press. experts have however indicated that complex genetic makeup appears “worrisome”. 

“This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to or Variants of Concerns such as Delta, says WHO.

number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa, it warned, referring to its increased transmissibility. Although as per WHO, this variant can be detected on SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagstics. Variant Omicron has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth vant and virulence, according to WHO. 

" last thing we need is to bring in a new variant that will cause even more problems,'' German Health Minister Jens Spahn said, according to Associated Press. His remarks came as EU member nations have been hit with a significant spike in coronavirus cases lately.  “Until we have a clear understanding about danger posed by this new variant,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, flights will have to be grounded, reported AP.  She also pushed for stringent quarantine rules as WHO studies in depth three distinct peaks in reported cases from South Africa. B.1.1.529 infection specimen was first collected on 9 vember 2021.