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TNS Explainer: All you need to know about the new and deadly Covid-19 variant 'Omicron'!

By alagu, 27 November, 2021
Omicron, COVID-19, COVID-19 mutant

It's been two years since the world was introduced with the Covid-19 pandemic and worryingly, it still remains as the pandemic and despite the shields of vaccinations and safety protocols, it has been evolving into various mutants that are highly deadly. Having lethal characters, these variants have originated from several countries and threatened the entire planet. These variants have put lives at risk and most of them can escape the antibodies generated from vaccinations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has labelled these variants as 'Variant of Concern' and alarmed the countries to not bring the guards down. These variants have triggered the hasty confinement of millions and levied more challenges for the collective global battle in degrading the pandemic to its lower level. In a similar fashion, South Africa has now drawn distressing attention of the globe by becoming a major epicentre of the new Covid-19 variant - 'Omicron'. The emergence of the new variant has been leading southern African countries to complete isolation from the rest of the human ecosystem. Let's take a look at the new variant and what we know so far. 

Omicron is the latest one to get added to the store of Covid-19 variants and it has come with a tagline of being more dangerous than its predecessors. Whenever there has been an emergence of mutants of the invisible menace, the experts of WHO's Technical Advisory Group for Covid-19 virus evolution would sit down and discuss the evolution and characteristics of the new variant. Likewise, the experts convened a meet on Friday - November 26 to assess the variant. The WHO has said that this variant was first reported from South Africa on 24 November 2021. 

WHO said that 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 other VOCs (Variant of Concerns). It has also said this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage. It has added that based on the evidence presented, the Advisory Group has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a VOC and it has been named Omicron.

Omicron has left the scientific world in dismay as it has been predicted that it will spread and escape the antibodies from prior infection or vaccination. However, we are at an early stage to conclude that Omicron will take over the global dominance from the existing Delta variant, which had surged up infections in the United States and in the European countries. According to Reuters, Dr Graham Snyder of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre has said that it is not yet clear whether Omicron will be able to replace Delta. 

Scientists say it could be several weeks before they can define the type of disease caused by the variant, determine how contagious it is, and identity how far it has already spread. While there is no accurate indication about the origination of Omicron, it has been infecting millions in Africa and with no clear sense of whether the current vaccines can curb the new variant, several countries have been closing their borders for Africa and some had installed strict restrictions for the people from African nations before entering their soil. 

In its statement, WHO said, "There are a number of studies underway and the TAG-VE (Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution) will continue to evaluate this variant. WHO will communicate new findings with the Member States and to the public as needed." WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Thew new Covid19 virus variant - Omicron - has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. This is why we need to speed up our efforts to deliver on Vaccine Equity ASAP and protect the most vulnerable everywhere." 

As the sequel of the emergence of the new variant, several countries have initiated measures to stay alert and vigil and to curb the influx of the menace into their respective territories. With nearly three million Covid cases, South Africa has been witnessing more cases every day and it is suspected that the new variant has been causing a spike in new infections in the African country. India, which is one of the major countries to have more Covid cases and deaths, has on Saturday displayed that it is getting ready to fight the new variant. 

In a high-level meeting held on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told officials to review plans over international travel as concerns rise over the Omicron variant. On Friday, India had decided to resume international passenger flights including from the countries that are deemed at risk of the Covid-19 viral infection, while ordering to strengthen border screening. However, after the WHO had declared Omicron as VOC, India has decided to put more protocols amid keeping the ease of travel restrictions. The Prime Minister has highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified at risk. 

Modi has appealed to the people to stay more cautious and take proper precautions. The statement has said that the Prime Minister has directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are reporting higher cases presently. He also has instructed the officials to ramp up the coverage of second-dose vaccination. Several Indian states have been aware of the new variant and have put in place adequate measures to contain the new variant.

Hospitals in Delhi have been directed to be on high alert and to take effective safety measures. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal has directed the Chief Secretary, Police Commissioner, and other senior officers of the national capital to ensure strict adherence to all Covid protocols in public places, functions, and complete preparedness in hospitals to treat any emergencies. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had appealed to the Centre to stop flights from countries that are affected by the new variant. 

Taking to social media, he said, "I urge Hon'ble PM to stop flights from those countries which are affected by new variant. With great difficulty, our country has recovered from Corona. We shud (sic) do everything possible to prevent this new variant from entering India." Though the WHO has said that it was reported with the first case of the variant from South Africa, which has become a major epicentre, Omicron was first reported in Botswana and then it began to spread rapidly in neighbouring South Africa.

India has reported no cases of Omicron so far and around five countries including Israel, Belgium, and Germany had reported the cases of Omicron. The countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, and Japan have already announced plans to restrict or ban travel to and from South Africa and its surrounding countries. WHO has stressed that keeping the guard up against the variant is the need of the hour. In its statement, it said, "Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of Covid-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving the ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated." 

For the countries, WHO has asked to enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to understand the circulating of variants. It has also asked the countries to report initial cases and clusters associated with the VOC infection to the body. On the other hand, the Omicron variant has left the scientists in a divide over battling it with vaccinations. According to Reuters, Dr David Ho, professor of microbiology at Columbia University has said that Omicron's mutations are likely to render certain Covid-19 treatments, including antibodies, ineffective. However, professor Calum Semple, a top scientist and microbiologist in the UK, has put hope that Omicron is not a disaster and vaccines are still likely to protect against the serious diseases from the variant. 

 

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