COVID-19 Omicron Variant

How it spreads and ways to protect yourself

By Sanjay Maurya

Scientists are trying to figure out how a new variant of COVID-19, called Omicron, is spreading rapidly around the world, and how current vaccination can exceed current levels of protection and cause serious illness. The Omicron variant, which was initially reported to the World Health Organization on November 24, is still under investigation, but most studies show it is more transmissible than the Delta variant, which was responsible for India’s devastating second wave of Covid-19 this summer (2021).

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus, first discovered in Botswana and South Africa in November, has spread throughout the world faster than any other known variant of coronavirus in recent times. While scientists are still learning a lot about Omicron, what they do know so far indicates that the variation might result in a large number of new cases in the coming weeks, potentially putting some hospital systems at risk.

Omicron was initially identified by scientists owing to a unique mix of more than 50 mutations. Some of these were found in older coronavirus types like Alpha and Beta, and prior research had shown that they may help a coronavirus spread fast. Other alterations were reported to aid coronaviruses in evading vaccine-induced antibodies.

On November 26, the World Health Organization declared Omicron a “variant of concern” based on those mutations and a troubling spike in Omicron cases in South Africa, warning that the worldwide hazards presented by it were “extremely significant.” Since then, more than 80 nations have detected the new variant.

A California citizen who came home from South Africa was recognized as the first American infected with Omicron in early December. Since then, officials have discovered the variant in more than a third of the states. In many regions of the world, Omicron is swiftly gaining domination, demonstrating the promise that scientists saw when it was originally found.

Symptoms

There is presently no information to imply that symptoms linked with Omicron are different. Other variations, according to a World Health Organization bulletin dated November 28, 2021. The most often reported symptoms are cough, weariness, and congestion, or runny nose, according to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control from December 1 to December 7.

Treatment

Scientists are working feverishly to understand more about this new variety, which looks to be more resistant to vaccinations and spreads even faster than the delta form that caused an outbreak earlier this year. According to public health professionals, receiving a booster injection is the most important thing vaccinated people can do to protect themselves from serious sickness and, to a lesser extent, infections.

Scientists and doctors are attempting to find how effective existing COVID-19 therapies are. Despite Omicron’s shifting genetic make-up, certain treatments are likely to be effective, while others may be less so.

COVID-19 vaccinations are extremely successful in reducing serious disease, hospitalization, and death. So now you can understand what happens if you are unvaccinated.
Scientists are currently looking into Omicron to see how effectively fully vaccinated individuals will be protected against hospitalization, disease, and death.
Everyone 5 years and older should get completely vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC.
Masks provide the best protection.

Vaccine for Children and Booster dose in India

From January 10, India will begin distributing booster shots to health and frontline employees, as well as those over the age of 60, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2022 Vaccinations for children aged 15 to 18 will begin on January 3rd, PM added. Anyone over 60 with comorbidities or other health concerns can get an extra dosage of vaccination starting January 10th. Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for youngsters aged 12 and above has previously been licenced by the drugs authority. It is the second vaccine to be licenced for children, following Zydus Cadila’s needle-free vaccination ZyCoV-D.

Quick Glance

The delay between the second and booster injection was verified by Cowin platform chief Dr. R S Sharma on Monday (27^th December 2021). You are eligible if you are over 60 years old, have taken both doses, and the time between the second dosage and the day you are registering is more than 9 months (39 weeks), Sharma explained.

In India, it is unclear which vaccination would be used for the booster dosage. PM Modi didn’t mention vaccine doses as boosters, but referred to them as precautionary doses, leaving the door open for future announcements. In Addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has permitted the use of any licenced vaccination as a booster dose, enabling Covid-19 vaccines to be mixed. Only adolescents (16-17 years old) who have previously received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination are advised to receive a booster dose of the same vaccine.

Which Vaccines are effective against Omicron?

A three-dose course of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccination is effective against the Omicron coronavirus strain, according to reports from an Oxford University lab research released on 23rd December 2021. Antibody levels against Omicron after the booster shot were greater than antibodies in patients who had been infected with COVID-19 and recovered spontaneously, according to the study, which has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed medical publication.

Global Fears: latest update on omicron variant

As of 30th December 2021

Travel Restriction

India– The Director-General of Civil Aviation said on December 9 that scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India will be suspended until January 31, 2022.
The United States- With the introduction of COVID-19 Omicron, a new variety of COVID-19, the laws of international travel are once again shifting. Visitors from Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique are prohibited from entering the United States.
Singapore– Effective December 22, 2021, 2359 hours (SGT), no new ticket sales for authorized VTL (Air) flights for entrance into Singapore from any VTL countries will be permitted until January 20, 2022, 2359 hours (SGT),the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority stated.

Omicron spoil Party Mood ahead of New Year eve

During the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Delhi government has banned large gatherings.
Maharashtra has imposed bans and restrictions until the New Year, citing a total of 54 Omicron instancesas of 24 December 2021.
In the wake of an increase in Omicron cases in the state, the Karnataka government has also set limitations on public New Year festivities.
A night curfew has been enforced by the Gujarat government till December 31. Gyms and eateries have been able to function at 75 percent capacity as a result of it.
On 14 December, the MK Stalin-led government announced a ban on New Year festivities along all beaches in Chennai, stating that no entry or gatherings will be permitted on December 31 and January 1. The administration also announced that the ban on social, cultural, and political gatherings will be extended until December 31.

FAQ

What is Omicron Delta Kappa?
Omicron Delta Kappaexplains – Kappa is explained as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization, but Delta is designated as a “variant of concern,” indicating that it poses a significantly greater hazard.The B.1.1.529 Omicron was identified by WHO and designated as a Variant of Concern (VOC).Read the full article to know about how dangerous the Omicron variant is.

How dangerous is omicron?
The Omicron Variant of Covid-19, which was initially reported to the World Health Organization on November 24, is still under investigation, but most studies show it is more transmissible than the Delta variant, read the full article to know how dangerous the Omicron variant is.

What happens if you are unvaccinated?
COVID-19 vaccinations are extremely successful in reducing serious disease, hospitalization, and death. So now you can understand what happens if you are unvaccinated. Read the full article to know how dangerous the Omicron variant is.

How many Omicron cases were reported in India?
As of 24 December, 2021 – India recorded 358 Omicron Cases – Maharashtra – 88, Delhi – 67, Telangana – 38, Tamil Nadu 34, Karnataka 31, and Gujarat 30. Read the full article to know how dangerous the Omicron variant is.

Is there any flight ban in India?
On December 9, the Director-General of Civil Aviation stated that the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India will be prolonged until January 31, 2022. The embargo on planned overseas flights will last until January 31 at 11:59 p.m.Read the full article to know how dangerous the Omicron variant is.

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COVID-19 Omicron variant