https://wiseoneup.clickvalley.in/ for knowledge and fun Articulate, blogging built on Umbraco 1186 https://wiseoneup.clickvalley.in/articles/covid-omicron-variant/ COVID-19 <p>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</p> <p>Omicron variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an <strong>increased risk of reinfection</strong> with this variant, as compared to other variants of concern</p> <p>Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant.</p> <p><img src="https://wiseoneup.clickvalley.in/media/1lgoof2p/screenshot_1.png?width=500&amp;height=281.9253438113949" alt="covid vairant blood sample" width="500" height="281.9253438113949"></p> <p>As such, WHO has asked the countries to do the following:</p> <ul> <li>enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant</li> <li>submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID</li> <li>report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the IHR mechanism</li> <li>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</li> <li><strong>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</strong><strong> </strong></li> </ul> <h2>Here are all the countries that have recorded cases of Omicron Covid-19 since the discovery of the strain by researchers in South Africa</h2> <ul> <li>South Africa **183 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>US** variant has been found in almost one-third of US states</li> <li>India **Total tally of Omicron cases in India raised to 21</li> <li>Saudi Arabia **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>UAE **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Nigeria **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>UK ** A further 86 cases of the Omicron Covid variant have been reported in Britain as of 05Dec2021, taking the total to 246</li> <li>Japan ** Japan reports 3rd case of Omicron variant in traveler who had been in Italy</li> <li>France ** France has confirmed it has detected 9 cases of the omicron variant</li> <li>Brazil ** 3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Netherlands **18 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Germany **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Hongkong **4 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Canada **15 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Australia **15 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Portugal **19 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Botswana **19 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Spain **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Belgium **9 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Italy **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Switzerland **2 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Austria **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Denmark ** Country saw confirmed cases increase to 183 of the Omicron variant of Covid-19</li> <li>Sweden **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported</li> <li>Chile ** 1 confirmed case of omicron variant reported</li> </ul> Mon, 06 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0530 2021-12-06T12:00:00+05:30