The rate of Covid-19 cases has been surging again worldwide. Since the first case of coronavirus was discovered in 2019 at Wuhan city in China, it has mutated so many times in different countries. This time, the omicron variant of this virus has taken over the world. Here in this article, we will know in brief about the omicron variant of coronavirus.
What is the Omicron Variant?
Omicron is one of the latest variants that has been detected in different countries. WHO identified a new SARS-CoV-2 variant for the first time on November 24, 2021, in South Africa. The organization named it “Omicron” after further experiments. Eventually, WHO declared it as a big concern for the world population for its ability to have several mutations.
There is consistent evidence of Omicron spreading substantially quicker than Delta, with a doubling period of 2-3 days. Hence, the overall threat associated with this new variant is extremely high.
What are the Symptoms of Omicron Variant
Similar to previous variants of COVID-19, Omicron also causes symptoms, such as cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, and exhaustion. However, unlike the Delta variant, Omicron infected people lose their sense of taste and smell less frequently. Also, Omicron is less likely to cause severe illness in a patient’s body and mostly leads to mild disease. Nonetheless, the influence of coronavirus may indeed vary from person to person, depending on one’s immune responses and current health condition.
But Omicron symptoms are usually mild in those who are already vaccinated and/or boosted. On the other hand, symptoms in unvaccinated people can sometimes be severe. And, that may lead to hospitalization or even death.
Does Omicron Spread Easier Than Other Covid-19 Variants?
Yes, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Omicron Covid-19 variant is more infectious than the others. This coronavirus variant is extremely contagious that can spread easier from one person to another. For its nature, Omicron has swiftly become one of the highly transmissible strains worldwide. Hence, vaccination and safety precautions are crucial to staying safe from this variant for everyone.
Is Omicron More Severe Than Previous Covid-19 Variants?
Early scientific findings reveal that the Omicron is a variant of concern indeed. It has a lower risk of hospitalization than the Delta variant. However, the World Health Organization warns that any country should not take it lightly. If the community transmission takes place, more severe cases and hospitalizations are likely to happen anywhere. As a result, the health system may face big trouble yet again, especially the health workers and old citizens, leading to severe disease.
So it is vital to remember that all COVID-19 variants, including the Omicron variant, can cause serious illness or death. Therefore, preventing the virus’s transmission and lowering your risk of infection is so important.
Are the Vaccines Effective Against the Omicron Variant?
Since the Omicron variant is still new, the researchers aren’t sure how effective the current
vaccines can be used to avoid omicron infections.
They are still investigating how much the Omicron variation affects the efficiency of COVID-19 vaccines. The accumulated data is currently insufficient to come to a conclusive decision. There may be a minor decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing serious sickness and death due to the omicron variant. However, according to WHO, the currently available vaccines can provide significant protection against severe disease.
Vaccination is always necessary to defend against this widely distributed variant. Even if it is not as deadly as the Delta variant, your ignorance may make anyone else sick who has a weaker immune system.
So whenever it’s your turn, ensure getting vaccinated. Nowadays, a booster dose is also playing a pivotal role to improve the immune system. So if there is any scope of receiving the booster shots, consider taking that as well for your betterment.
