The Omicron variant of Corona Virus has taken the world by storm, and all the countries are worried as they are not knowing how this variant will affect them
Three major issues will determine the magnitude of the impact of the new Omicron variant of the Covid virus will have on the nation and the rest of the planet. What is the transmissibility of this new Covid variant? How good is it at evading the antibodies and T-cells that make up a person’s immune defences? What are the chances it will trigger severe illness that could lead to the hospitalisation, and possibly death, of an infected person?
Scientists are struggling to find the definite answers to these critically important questions. The evidence already suggests Omicron has the potential to cause serious disruption.
The Omicron variant has now been detected in 38 countries, although no deaths have been reported because of Omicron. As a result of Omicron, many nations that were already suffering from soaring numbers of Covid 19 cases caused by Delta variant have imposed new lockdown measures and travel restrictions.
Omicron has spread rapidly in South Africa, the cases has been increased by 4 times what were there on 26th November. Experts are of the opinion that Omicron can infect three to six times many people as Delta, over the same time span.
How easily does the variant evade the body’s anti virus defences?
As per experts, evidence indicates that Omicron has an advantage over other variants in bypassing the immune system. It tends to be better able to re infect people who have been previously infected and received some protection against Covid 19. There is no indication as to how this immune evasion happens, although it can be presumed to be because of decreased antibody binding to Omicron’s mutated spike protein. But decreased T cell immunity can not be excluded as a possible contributory factor.
If the power of previous infection to protect people is reduced, how might vaccines fare against the variant?
As per experts, it is extremely unlikely that this variant will evade vaccine completely. The vaccines we have are remarkably effective against a range of other variants, but more research will be required to determine the degree of protection in those vaccinated.
How likely is infection with Omicron to lead to hospitalization or death?
Expert says that, This is most difficult question to answer because Omicron has not been known for long enough to determine its ability to cause serious illness. However, early evidence does give some grounds for optimism. The number of cases of Omicron infections does not seem to translate at this stage into hospitalization rates would have expected with similar numbers of cases of other variants.
How might people in high risk groups be affected by Omicron?
As per experts, Over the past few months, this variant has been circulating in younger age groups, because they’re the ones who are relatively unprotected. However, If the variant is able to evade the immune response of young people, then it may shift its profile to infect more older people, who we know are more vulnerable to severe infection for the other variants. The reasoning is straightforward. built-up immunity in the elderly – due to high levels of vaccination combined with natural infection – will be less meaningful. That, obviously, is a real worry.
Now what is position of Omicron in India:
The first two cases of this variant were detected in Karnataka on last Thursday, ie 2nd December. On 4th December two cases were reported from Gujarat. On 6th December many cases were reported across the country, one case from Delhi, nine cases from Jaipur (Rajasthan), eight from Maharashtra. So there are 21 cases of Omicron variant are present in India. Cases might go up as several contacts of all these cases are under surveillance and have been isolated.
Let us wait and watch, how the situation takes new turn in near future.
Waiting, for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
6th December 2021 189/21
Tejinder Singh Sethi
Fauci says early reports encouraging about omicron variant
US health officials said Sunday that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations. President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, told CNN’s “State of the Union” that scientists need more information before drawing conclusions about omicron’s severity
R. N. Mungale.
I agree. Let us wait & watch.