A new Covid-19 variant has been identified in South Africa declared by World Health Organization and has designated B.1.1.529, named as OMICRON, and it has large numbers of mutations.

How it comes to an existence:

Omicron is a virus which is a replica of COVID-19 which means when a virus replicates itself and has some change in it, which is very normal for a virus these changes are called mutations, and OMICRON has large mutations. Omicron is named by the WHO after the 15th letter of the Greek alphabets where letters 13th and 14th “Nu” and “Xi” are skipped due to some confusion, like “Nu” is homophonic word of “New” and “Xi” is avoided in a stigmatizing manner.

Genetic of OMICRON:

The genetic sequence of OMICRON has over 30 concerning mutations in its spike protein. OMICRON shares mutations with two previous variants" beta" and" gamma" that made them less impotent to vaccines. The antibodies which are generated by the vaccines target only three regions on the spike protein, and OMICRON has mutations in all the tree regions. The mutations make transmissibility faster by binding more tightly to the receptor and get into cells easily by improving Turin cleavage site because of these mutations.

Severity of Omicron variant:

According to the WHO reports it is still underway to understand the level of severity of the variant Omicron. It  will take some days to several weeks for study so it is not clear. But according to doctors the symptoms of omicron variant is different from other variants of CODID 19. 

Tests to identify the variant:

To detect the infection the RT-PCR test is widely used. Researches are still going on whether any other types of tests are required or not, including rapid antigen detection tests. 

Symptoms of Omicron variant:

According to Angelique Coetzee, chairwoman of the South African Medical Association

1. Extreme level of fatigue at any age group no limit like other strains have.

2. Head ache

3. Body ache

4. Occasional scratchy throats

5. Occasional coughs 


There is no drastic drop in oxygen level and no loss of taste or smell in patients infected in other strains. And according to doctors some patients of OMICRON strains have recovered without hospitalized also. Doctors who treated the patients says the symptoms of OMICORN is different from DELTA variant. 

Some measures are take in some countries:

1. Compulsory Face covering in shops and public transports.

2. To take a day 2 RT-PCR tests for all arrivals from international and self isolation until they get negative RT-PCR report.

3. Suspected Omicron cases are stay to be in self isolation and  with whom they contacted they have to consult doctors and self isolate themselves. Regardless of their age and vaccinated status.

Measures will slow down the transmissibility of the new variant OMICRON. Because researches are still going on and it has large number of spike protein mutations which may cause high level of risk in this pandemic situation. Because no such specific treatment is available or no such vaccine is available for this, in all over the world. But yes we can follow some measures and some precautions it will help down us. 

Report says- the head of Modena (CEO) says the vaccines of COVID-19 are likely to be less effective against the new variant Omicron. And it establish a new worry to the world for financial market at the time of pandemic.


Precautions


Doctors who experianced the variant Omicron early said that it could be avoided by 

  1. Keep to try higher immune system 

  2. Keep distancing 

  3. Avoid crowded place

  4. Good ventilation in all share space.

  5. Wear mask properly

  6. Clean or sanitise hands and surface frequently

  7. Avoid sharing foods

  8. Get vaccinated to breakthrough the variants of COVID 19. 



Conclusion

All the experts are very stressed regarding new variant of COVID 19 arises , to protect the world from the high risk of mortality rate and hospitalisation and many more like lockdown situations which will hit the economy. So donot get panic all we just to take some measures to breakthrough the chain of COVID -19  new variant is to  get immuned , masking ,social distancing,good ventilation in all shared space,clean or sanitise hands and surface frequently and above all get vaccined.