Omicron SARS-CoV-Variant: A new chapter in the Covid-19 pandemic

Till now Omicorn Virus has been detected in most of the states and UTS and it is rapidly increasing. We all should not lower our guard against the Covid. We all should follow Covid's appropriate behavior. Experts are believing that 3rd wave in the country is inevitable now.

In this article, I will try to explain the new variant Omicorn, its spread, and its possible danger. Along with this, some basic information related to Covid-19 has also been explained.

What is the covid 19 variant Omicron?

 

Omicron (B.1.1.529) has been declared as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization. It has been first detected in South Africa. It has been identified in Covid 19 patients in Botswana and South Africa.

What is the meaning of the name of the Omicron Covid-19 variant?

Mikron means little. So it is little O.

 

Why is the omicron Covid variant concerning?

 

The main concern about this variant is whether this is more infectious from delta or not. As per the expert, this is 5 times more infectious than the delta variant.

Is Omicron a Covid 19 variant of concern?

 

Yes, it is the variant of concern. On 26th Nov WHO declared SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1529 as a variant of concern and named it Omicron. It has 32 mutations in the spike protein.

What is the new variant Omicorn Covid 19 variant?

 

SARS-Cov-2 lineage B.1.1529 is known as the Omicron covid 19 variant. This variant has been designated as a variant of concern (VOC) by the world health organization. It is believed to be a highly transmissible variant of the virus.

Is the Covid 19 variant Omicorn more contagious than delta?

As per the expert, Omicron is going to be more transmissible and contagious than the delta variant. As per the WHO this virus is not only more contagious than the delta one but reducing the vaccine efficacy as well. Delta variant has 9 mutations but in Omicron it is believed to be 30 mutations. It is said that the virus which has the more variant that is more dangerous.

Will the Omicron variant of Covid-19 will spread in India?

 

If we go by the forecast by Juliet Pulliam, Director of the South African DSI-NSF center for excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis then we can say that cases will spread rapidly in India.

What are the organs most affected by Covid 19?

 

In most of the cases, lung is the most affected organ from Covid 19

Are smokers more likely to develop severe disease with Covid -19?

It is established that tobacco smoking is a great risk factor for respiratory infections. It increases the severity of respiratory diseases. So smokers are more vulnerable to the covid 19 than nonsmokers.

Which types of settings do Covid-19 spread more easily?

Followings are the settings where Covid-19 spread more easily.

Crowded places

Close contact settings. Speaking with each other very closely.

Enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

 

What are the Coronaviruses?

Corona Viruses is a group of viruses or a large family of viruses that cause illness from common cold to more severe disease. As far as the novel Corona Virus is concerned it is a new strain and it was not found previously in humans.

Where Covid-19 was first identified?

It was first identified in Wuhan from their patients. These patients were suffering from pneumonia and they were connected to the cluster of acute respiratory cases in Wuhan.

When did the Coronavirus disease receive its name?

On 11th Feb 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) announced “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)” as the name of a new virus. This virus is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak in 2003. Although both are related but two viruses are different.

Has the Novel Coronavirus that causes Covid-19 been previously identified in humans?

CoronaViruses are a large family of viruses. A novel Corona Virus is a new strain that has not been identified in humans earlier. This new Virus has been named as Covid-19 virus.

Does Covid-19 belong to the Corona Virus family?

Yes, the Covid-19 Virus belongs to the Corona Virus family. That also includes the SARS Virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Symptoms) virus. The Virus strain that can cause the common cold and flu comes under the family of coronavirus.

Where did Covid 19 origin?

 

First known Covid infection was discovered in Wuhan in China. From where it has come is still part of the investigation of WHO. There is a theory that it got licked from the laboratory of China and there is another theory that suggests that it got originated from the seafood market of Huanan. Because In the early stages of the pandemic infectees were the workers at the huanan seafood market.

In which country was the omicron Covid-19 virus first detected?

It was first detected in South Africa. Virus B 1.1.529 which got named Omicron on 26th Nov 2021 WHO declared it as a variant of concern.

Who issued the official name of Covid-19?

On 11th Feb. 2020 WHO issued the official names COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2

How do Viruses get their name?

They are named based on their genetic structure to facilitate the development of diagnostic tests, vaccines, and medicines. The international committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) names the Viruses.

How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?

The incubation period for COVID-19 patients is between 1-14 days. In most cases, symptoms start appearing in the infected person within 5 days.

What are the primary symptoms of COVID-19?

Following are the primary symptoms of COVID-19

Fever

Dizziness

Breathlessness

Headache

Dry Cough

Loss in smell and taste

 

 

Spread of Omicron

Till now it has spread into 16 states and UTs.It is expected that this variant will spread faster than the Delta one.

Rt Value

Rt value or re-production value is the value through which we determine that one infected person will infect how many people. If the Rt value is 1 it means a person will be infected one person. Rt value has started increasing in the states now.Rt value is the indicator. It will show that where the covid graph will go. Right now the situation is not alarming but cluster outbreaks can’t be ruled out.

Severe illness from Omicron

On this experts are evaluating the data but it will take more time to reach the conclusion. It is expected that it will reinfect and also do the breakthrough infection. But still, it is too early to conclude. But experts are saying that Omicorn might not be more severe than the Delta but due to its faster spread, it will overwhelm the complete health system thus it will increase the severity.

Vaccines effect on Omicorn virus.

Although experts are evaluating the data it is expected that vaccines will protect against severe illness, hospitalization, death. So it is always advisable to get vaccinated if still not taken the vaccine. But it is also important to note that breakthrough infection (infection in the person who is fully vaccinated) can’t be ruled out.

Treatments of Omicron infected patients

Scientists are working to determine the exact line of treatment against this variant. It is expected that some of the earlier treatments will work and some of them will not or will remain less effective. Doctors are believing that soon to be launched oral antivirals molnupiravir and paxlovid may be proved to be a game-changer in the variants like Omicron.

 

 

How many countries has the Omicron variant of COVID-19 detected in?

It is detected in 38 countries till now including in Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Japan, Malaysia, India, and South Korea.

What do we know about the Covid-19 Variant Omicorn so far?

This virus has more than 30 mutations in the genes that code for the spike protein. Out of these 30 mutations, 10 are in the “receptor binding domain”.

 

Omicron cases in India today?

As per the health ministry of India state wise Omicron cases are as below:

 

Sr No	State	No of Omicorn Cases
1	Maharastra	88
2	Delhi	67
3	Telangana	38
4	Tamil Nadu	34
5	Karnatka	31
6	Gujrat	30
7	Kerala	27
8	Rajasthan	22
9	Odisha	4
10	Haryana	4
11	Jammu and Kashmir	3
12	West Bengal	3
13	Andhra Pradesh	2
14	Uttar Pradesh	2
15	Chandigarh	1
16	Ladakh	1
17	Uttarakhand	1
	Total**	358
**	As on 24th Dec 21 9.45 am

At the end, I would like to request all of you to please wear the mask maintain the distance, and follow Covid's appropriate behavior.

 

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