Explanatory-How should we worry about the Omicron variant? By Reuters

Author: Deena Beasley

(Reuters) – A new variant of the Omicron coronavirus – first identified in South Africa but also detected in Europe and Asia – is sparking concern around the number of mutations, which could help spread or prevent or prevent further infection or vaccine antibodies.

News of the variant prompted countries to announce new travel restrictions on Friday and mixed medicines to see if they continue to support COVID-19 vaccines.

WHY ARE THE SCIENCES CONCERNED?

The World Health Organization on Friday classified variant B.1.1.529 or Omicron SARS-CoV-2 as “worrisome,” saying it could spread faster than other types of coronavirus.

The Delta variant continues to dominate the world, accounting for 99.9% of U.S. cases, and it’s still unclear whether Omicron will be able to relocate Delta, said Dr. Graham (NYSE 🙂 Dr. Snyder, University Director of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology . From Pittsburgh Medical Center.

But the new variant has more than 30 mutations in the part of the virus targeted by current vaccines. It is also suspected that it has spurred the rise of new infections in South Africa.

Omicron’s mutations may not be effective in some COVID-19 treatments – including some manufactured antibodies – said Dr. David Ho, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Columbia University.

Experimental anti-virus pills – for example Pfizer Paxlovid’s Inc (NYSE:) and Merck & Co Inc.’s molnupiravir – Omicron’s unchanged parts of the virus are targeted, and these drugs could become even more important if they are caused by vaccines and threaten natural immunity.

UNKNOWN

Scientists say it may take several weeks to define the type of disease caused by the variant, until it is determined how contagious it is and how far it has spread.

Some point out that other variants of concern, including Beta, which was also first detected in South Africa, eventually replaced Delta.

But the biggest question is whether COVID-19 vaccine protections – nearly 8 billion doses have been administered worldwide – will be maintained. And, will people who have previously been infected with coronavirus be immune to Omicron infection?

Experts also do not yet know if Omicron will cause COVID-19 to be more severe or more severe compared to other coronavirus strains.

THE BEST (NYSE 🙂 ANSWER?

Omicron has not yet been identified in the United States, but it is likely to be here, scientists said.

Even with no new variants, U.S. COVID-19 rates have risen in recent weeks, especially in northern states, as people move indoors to avoid winter weather.

Some countries have moved to limit travel from southern Africa. Beyond government restrictions, individuals should assess their vulnerability and risk tolerance to COVID while making travel decisions for the winter holidays, Snyder of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said.

He and others said the vaccine should continue to be a priority despite questions about its effectiveness against Omicron, because it is likely that they will continue to be protected in part. Everyone should also continue to wear masks, avoid crowds, ventilate rooms and wash their hands.

“We have all of these tools that will work against any variant,” said Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California.