Corona,the biggest evil, entered as a guest and destroyed the lives of the people globally.The uninvited guest visited and spread the pandemic panic everywhere. In these two years we have seen waves of the pandemic and many suffered very badly, while others managed to recover. Unfortunately many people breathed their last due to Covid – 19. With god’s grace the WHO, doctors, and other scholars found the vaccine. Now 98.7% of the population has taken double dose vaccination and are looking after their health by following Covid precautions.Now this covid – 19 has started its new version. So, what is the name of the variant?
Yes, ‘Omicron’ is a new variant of covid-19. This article gives you a brief insight into the new variant of covid-19.
Recently, the WHO (World Health Organization) disclosed a new variant of SRS – CoV – 2. This new version is currently circulating in South Africa and it is named Omicron. This variant was identified on 22nd September, 2021 from NGS – SA (Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa). It was detected as a group of SARS – CoV – 2 Viruses and belongs to a lineage named B.1.1.529. This infection is more dangerous than the Delta variant and can easily spread among the crowd.
What is Omicron?
This is the new variant identified by SARS – CoV- 2. After some time, the significance of this variant comes into each mutation and gets to know the people. NGS – SA detected B.1.1.529. The health authorities kept it constantly and observed it to identify omicrons. Recently the NGS – SA announced that B.1.1529 had rapidly spread in Gauteng province, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, this would be presented in most provinces. The NGS – SA has sustained an increase in cases and is possibly fuelled by
cluster outbreaks.
Which of these mutations are concerned?
The NGS – SA had announced a cluster of mutations, known as H655Y+N679K+P681H.These are associated with more efficient cell entry, indicating enhanced transmissibility.Their deletion of nsp6 is
similar to a deletion in the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Lambda variants.
WHO’s Assessment –
The WHO had announced the technical advisory group met to review the new variant and designated it as a variant concern. Omicron has been discovered to be associated with one or more of the following
changes – increase in transmissibility, decrease in the effectiveness of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.
Symptoms of omicron –
The NICD (The National Institute for Communicable Diseases) of South Africa had announced that presently, “no unusual symptoms” have been detected following infection with the B.1.1.529 variant.
