Omicron: Another dealdier variant of coronavirus (Full Coverage)

Omicron: Latest news on severity, transmissibility, and vaccine effectiveness

B.1.1.529 variant is given name to 'Omicron'. It is an other variant of coronavirus after alpha, beta, and delta. Scientists of WHO Technical Advisory Group are still researching on the transmissibility, severity, and effectiveness of vaccines against this variant. This variant is first observed in South Africa on 24th November 2021. In recent weeks, Omicron infections have increased rapidly in various parts of the world. 

Why this COVID variant 'Omicron' is considered deadlier than previous variants?

This variant has a large number of mutations and some of them are deadlier. Few preliminary studies shows that there is an increased risk of reinfection from this variant as compared to other variants of covid. It means that people who have had covid infection in the past and recovered from it, can also caught reinfection easily from this variant. However, information is limited in this context. Scientists are still working to study the whole behavior of this variant to understands its lethality, existing countermeasures including vaccination. Vaccines are still considered vital to reduce the risk of severe symptoms and death. 

RT-PCR is still considered as effective ways to detect this coronavirus variant. There are some question on the effectiveness of rapid antigen tests. 

Corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers will still be effective in managing covid patients. There are other drugs to on which bio-technologists are working on that will prove effective in treating this variant.

What is the severity of omicron variant?

Omicron is designated as VOC (Variant of concern). Studies are still going on to assess the real health impact of this virus on severity as compared to other variants including Delta. There are no evidences on the omicron symptoms to be different from the earlier variants. Till date, scientists are assuming that omicron will not be as deadlier as delta variant. Now a days, most of the people are immunized with natural antibodies and vaccines. Omicron is assumed to be less transmissible. There is no evidence of it yet. Studies are going on.

What you should do to avoid covid omicron infection / reinfection?

The most effective actions that an individual can take to reduce the risk of omicron infection is to maintain distance from people of at least 1 meter and wearing a well fitted face mask; avoid congested places or overcrowded place, keep hands clean, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue and get vaccinated soon.