Barely a week has elapsed since scientists in Botswana and South Africa alerted the world to a fast-spreading SARS-CoV-2 variant known as Omicron. Researchers worldwide are racing to understand the threat that the variant — now confirmed in more than 20 countries — poses to the world
Omicron’s rapid rise in South Africa is what worries researchers most, because it suggests the variant could spark explosive increases in COVID-19 cases elsewhere. On December, South Africa recorded 8,561 cases, up from the 3,402 reported on 26 November and several hundred per day in mid-November, with much of the growth occurring in the Province home to Johannesburg.
On Nov 25, 2021, about 23 months since the first reported case of COVID-19 and after a global estimated 260 million cases and 5·2 million deaths,1 a new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, omicron,2 was reported. Omicron emerged in a COVID-19-weary world in which anger and frustration with the pandemic are rife amid widespread negative impacts on social, physical, mental, and economic wellbeing. Although the previous variant of concern emerged in a world in which natural immunity from COVID-19 infections was common, this fifth variant of concern has emerged at a time when vaccine immunity is increasing in the world.
Coronavirus vaccines came at the time when the entire world was battling the implications of SARs-COV-2 virus. They proved to be a boon during the most uncertain times, and many continue to place their trust in the same.
However, with the emergence of the new COVID variant Omicron, experts are slightly doubtful of vaccine efficacy. The new, heavily mutated variant, although said to be 'mild', is believed to escape vaccine-induced immunity, which is one of the primary reasons behind the surge in the number of Omicron cases, even among fully vaccinated individuals.
Symptoms:
The four most common symptoms of the Omicron variant are:
- cough
- fatigue
- congestion
- runny nose
Given that COVID-19 vaccines do not provide sufficient protection against the Omicron variant, taking preventive measures is the only way we can safeguard ourselves and our loved ones.
The most vulnerable i.e. people with pre-existing health conditions, those receiving medical treatments and most importantly unvaccinated individuals continue to be at great risk. That said, it is important that we take important steps to tackle the same.
Prevention:
Considering the new variant is highly transmissible and can evade vaccine immunity, one must stay on guard, wear masks and maintain social distance from other people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "In areas with high numbers of cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated."
Additionally, the US health agency urges people to stay 6 feet away from others and to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Say 'no' to social gatherings, avoid crowded areas
According to a CDC analysis of the first 43 cases investigated in the U.S.
The CDC noted characteristics of the cases described in its analysis may not be generalizable, as the findings might be associated with individual characteristics. Still, early and ongoing research suggests certain variants may produce different symptoms. U.K. researchers tracking self-reported COVID-19 symptom data from the public found the top symptoms changed to headache, sore throat and runny nose this summer after Delta variant gained dominance.
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