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What Experts Are Saying About Omicron

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0530

India recorded 8,503 new Covid cases on 09 Dec 2021, taking the country's infection tally to 3,46,74,744. There are 94,943 active cases, accounting for less than one per cent of the total cases.

A total of five states have reported 23 cases of Omicron in India so far. These include Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.

The Omicron variant of coronavirus is said to be deadlier than the Delta variant, which wreaked havoc earlier this year. Cases of the new variant are rising all over the world.

More data is needed to know if the Omicron infections, especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants.

Scientists around the globe are trying to gather as much information as possible about this variant.

Most common symptoms for the new COVID Variant “Omicron” are fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell

According to the available data, this variant is now targeting children as well. Experts say that this variant may become a big challenge for everyone in the coming times.

Omicron symptoms in children may include high fever, cough, headache.

On 26 Nov 2021, WHO named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, which has been detected in South Africa, as 'Omicron'. WHO has classified Omicron as a 'variant of concern'.

Omicron – signs, symptoms, WHO guidelines

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0530

Omicron, a new COVID Variant was identified in South Africa on 24 Nov 2021, has been designated as variant of concern by World Health Organization

Omicron COVID Variant Symptoms

Symptoms for the new COVID Variant “Omicron” are given below: -

Most common symptoms

Fever
Cough
Tiredness
loss of taste or smell

Less common symptoms

sore throat
headache, aches/ pains
diarrhea
rash on skin
discoloration of fingers or toes
red or irritated eyes

Serious symptoms

difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
loss of speech or mobility,
or confusion
or chest pain

After the detection of a new variant of COVID, the WHO has advised the country and every individual to follow the SOPs (Standard Operating Protocols).

The WHO has published the advice on its official website @who.int for countries and individuals.

In an article that was published on 28 November 2021 on who.int, it is mentioned that “It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants.” It may be more transmissible, studies are ongoing, in order to get transmissible details.

In the same article, WHO has also said “It is not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta”

Omicron: COVID-19 variant of concern? Situation worldover

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0530

The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (an independent group of experts that periodically monitor and evaluate the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assess if specific and/or combination of mutations alter the behavior of the virus), was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529 (Omicron) of which the first case was reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 Nov 2021

Omicron 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 variants of concern

Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant.

As such, WHO has asked the countries to do the following:

enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant
submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID
report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the IHR mechanism
where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization, or other relevant characteristics
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 ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated

Here are all the countries that have recorded cases of Omicron Covid-19 since the discovery of the strain by researchers in South Africa

South Africa **183 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
US** variant has been found in almost one-third of US states
India **Total tally of Omicron cases in India raised to 21
Saudi Arabia **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
UAE **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
Nigeria **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
UK ** A further 86 cases of the Omicron Covid variant have been reported in Britain as of 05Dec2021, taking the total to 246
Japan ** Japan reports 3rd case of Omicron variant in traveler who had been in Italy
France ** France has confirmed it has detected 9 cases of the omicron variant
Brazil ** 3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Netherlands **18 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Germany **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
Hongkong **4 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Canada **15 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Australia **15 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Portugal **19 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Botswana **19 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Spain **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Belgium **9 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Italy **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
Switzerland **2 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Austria **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
Denmark ** Country saw confirmed cases increase to 183 of the Omicron variant of Covid-19
Sweden **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
Chile ** 1 confirmed case of omicron variant reported