Omicron Varient LIVE Updates - A 'Variant Of Concern'

The new corona variant B.1.1.529 was found in South Africa and has a "very unusual constellation" of mutations, Reuters reports. The WHO has officially named the new corona variant after the Greek letter Omicron, "in line with naming protocols."

People around the globe are scared amid the stir due to the new variant of the coronavirus. Countries rushed to ban flights to reduce the spread of Omicron on November 26, while stock markets and oil prices plunged on fears surrounding the variant, probably dealing a heavy blow to the global economic recovery. The variant, first reported to WHO from South Africa on Wednesday, has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel.

Transmissibility

According to WHO, It is still difficult to say whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. The no. of people testing positive has increased in areas of South Africa hit by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors.

Effectiveness of current tests

Available RT-PCR tests can only confirm whether the person is affected by the infection or not. They are not produced to determine which particular variant has infected the person. For that, a genome sequencing study has to be done.

 

It is not at all possible to send all samples for genome sequencing because it is a slow, complicated and expensive process. Normally, only a very small subset of all positive samples — about 2% to 5 % — is sent for gene analysis.

Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital has been assigned to treat patients testing positive for the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.

 

"The Union Health Ministry had Sunday (November 28) issued new guidelines for international travelers for reporting of Omicron, which has been classified as a 'variant of concern' by the World Health Organization (WHO)," the order read.

 

As per the guidelines, a separate isolation unit has to be set up for the patients indicating the presence of Omicron.

Writer - Sahil Madaan

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