Main > Health & Lifestyle > Health
Key Questions About The New COVID Variant Answered
By: Bhavesh B.
A new variant of the coronavirus that spreads at an alarming rate has already started wreaking havoc in some parts of the world. According to scientists, this new variant, dubbed Omicron, is the "most concerning" since the Delta variant, which ended up stirring relentless waves of infections on every continent just a few months back.
The emergence of the new variant sparked concern worldwide, but not much is known about it, which has led to a lot of confusion and fear. Here's what scientists and officials know about the Omicron strain so far.
What is known about the Omicron variant?
One of the most concerning things about the coronavirus is that it's constantly mutating. New variants of the virus have emerged over the past year and a half, and more new strains could appear in the future.
After a brief respite from the damages caused by the Delta variant, Omicron has been declared as the latest 'variant of concern' (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its high number of mutations.
According to WHO's official statement, "Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, the TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a VOC, and the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron."
The earliest sample of the variant is said to have been collected in Botswana on November 11, 2021. It has also been linked to a fresh surge in infections in parts of South Africa. Thus far, Omicron has been reported in travelers to Belgium, Hong Kong, and Israel, apart from South Africa. Other variants of concern, including Beta, were also first detected in South Africa.
What do the scientists say?
As of now, the Delta variant remains dominant worldwide, accounting for more than 99% of COVID cases in the US. It isn't clear yet if Omicron will replace Delta, but scientists say that it will be a few weeks before they can clearly define the type of disease this variant causes and understand how contagious it is. As with other variants, some infected people display no symptoms. Early evidence, however, suggests that Omicron has an increased risk of reinfection compared with other highly transmissible variants. This means that people who have had COVID-19 and recovered from it could be at risk of catching it again.
Related: Why Do New COVID-19 Variants Keep Showing Up?
Will existing vaccines work against it?
Now, the biggest question on everyone's minds is whether protection from current COVID-19 vaccines will hold up against the Omicron variant. Also, will people previously infected with the coronavirus be immune from reinfection with the new variant?
While scientists don't yet have clear answers to those questions, they have said that the Omicron variant has over 30 mutations in the part of the virus that existing vaccines target - more than double the number carried by Delta. This may reduce vaccine efficiency, they say. However, these are all theoretical predictions, and studies are being rapidly conducted to determine how effectively antibodies neutralize the new variant. Medical experts don't expect Omicron to be entirely unrecognizable to existing antibodies.
What side effects does the new variant cause?
At this point, there's no information available on the severity of infections the new variant causes or whether it leads to a change in COVID symptoms. It will take several weeks before clear data is available to determine that.
Though the Omicron variant is thought to be more transmissible and resistant to vaccines than other variants, we aren't sure of anything right now. Do remember, though, that vaccines have been tweaked in the past when the Beta and Delta variants emerged. It's highly likely that the research teams behind the vaccines have already been working on creating better versions. "We have all those tools that will work against any variant," said Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, California.
Therefore, if required, existing vaccines could be updated to deal with the Omicron variant. However, that would require several trials, and it might take four to six months for the updated vaccines to be widely available.
Will it spread everywhere in the world?
Thus far, the number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant has primarily been in South Africa. A few cases have also been reported in Botswana and Hong Kong, along with a single case in Israel. Given that this new variant has proven to be highly transmissible, it's likely to have spread to other countries undetected.
Health experts warn that there's no reason to overreact or panic over this new variant, as its main characteristics and potential threats are still under investigation. All experts continue to stress that vaccination remains critically important, as all real-time data suggests that it protects against hospitalization and death. Moreover, it also considerably reduces the strain on health systems. If anything, the emergence of the new variant indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic will perhaps not end until we reach high rates of global vaccination.
Share this information with friends and family...
COVID-19 Vaccines: Did It Work If You Had NO Side Effects?
Does an absence of side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine mean that your vaccine didn't work?
COVID-19 Delta Variant - Important Facts You Should Know
The Delta variant of Covid-19 is the most concerning of all emerging strains of the Novel Coronavirus. Here's what you need to know about it.
Covid-19: What's Known About the 4 New Variants
A few new strains of the novel coronavirus have been detected. Here's a breakdown of these new variants and their meaning, according to experts.
Consider Deep Breathing For COVID19 Prevention & Self-Care
Can deep breathing techniques help lessen the impact and risk of COVID-19? And if so, which deep breathing exercises are the most beneficial?
Can a New Drug Combo Clear COVID-19 in 5 Days?
According to a new study, a multidrug treatment that can remove COVID from the lungs in less than 5 days!
COVID-19 Cases Are Rising Again. How Can I Remain Calm?
Anxious over the COVID-19 cases rising again? Here's how you can cope with the stress.
6 Recent Groundbreaking Health & Medicine Advancements
2021 was a great year for medicine. Here are a few key innovations and breakthroughs you might have missed from the last year.
Health 23:54
Health Tips: a Unique Strategy for Cancer Prevention
In this video, a doctor reveals some unique fasting protocols for cancer prevention that you probably have never heard before.
Spelling Tests Complete These Half-Words!
Art & Music Quizzes Who Wrote the Famous Song?
Personality Quizzes The Adler Social Personality Type
Related Topics: baba recommends, health and medicine, coronavirus, sars, covid-19, variants, delta variant, covid variant, covid19 variant, omicron, beta, omicron variant
What Do You Know About HIV?
What do you know about one of the worst ongoing viruses?
Can You Guess Who I Am?
Can you guess who is whom?
Most popular in Health
We Might Have a COVID-19 Vaccine by End of 2020, After All
Two major companies - Pfizer and Moderna - have already developed their Covid-19 vaccines and they say they're 95% effective. How do they compare?
What is Fibromyalgia? Could it be Causing You Pain?
This guide will tell you all that you need to know about fibromyalgia.
Suffer From Dizziness? These Home Remedies Can Help
We all experience dizziness from time to time. These home remedies will help alleviate the symptoms.
Water Trapped In Your Ears? 8 Easy Ways to Clear Your Ears
Having water trapped in your ears isn't just extremely annoying, but it's also quite risky. Learn to get rid of the water stuck in your ears promptly and effectively.
Why Sitting Down is Slowly Putting Your Health at Risk
Some facts everyone should know about sitting.
New Side Effect Reported For The Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
The FDA added a warning to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, stating that the vaccine has an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
The New Generation of Prosthetics
The new wave of 3D printed prosthetic limbs that you can control with your mind...
COVID-19 - 6 Important Developments to Be Aware Of
With variants of COVID-19 emerging every month now and new vaccines being approved and tested, this month has been quite dense in terms of Covid news...
Warning! CDC Links Salmonella Outbreak to Supply of Onions
The CDC has warned the public about avoiding onions and onion products following a voluntary recall by some brands due to a salmonella outbreak
Struggling With Nasal Allergies? Try These Natural Cures
Hay fever season is upon us. To cope with the condition this year, we have some wonderful natural treatments that will help.
This Sleeping Position is the WORST - Health Experts Claim
If you're used to sleeping on your stomach, it may be time to switch. Health experts claim this position is the worst one for your health.
Suffer From Stubborn Cold Feet? This Might Be Why
Learn about the causes of cold feet, as well as several useful tips that can help warm up your feet in this useful guide.
Improve Your Oxygen Levels Naturally With These Tips
Learning how to keep your respiratory system healthy is an important way to combat respiratory infections. Here are several helpful tips!
Women Report Worse COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Than Men
Many women report experiencing stronger side effects to the COVID-19 vaccine than men, but that's nothing to be worried about.
Seniors Today Are Younger Than All Previous Generations
Recent research finally brings us some great news this year - seniors seem to be getting younger and younger with every generation... Read on to learn more
INTERACTIVE: Learn Some Important Information About Cancer
Cancer is a disease that touches all of our lives in one way or another, but it doesn't mean that we can't inform ourselves. View this interactive cancer guide.
You Do NOT Need 8 Glasses of Water a Day!
In this video, Dr. Berg teaches us why water is so healthy and busts some myths like the "8 glasses a day" one
9 Simple Lifestyle Tweaks That Prevent Blood Clots
Preventing blood clots is beneficial and advised for all of us - and here are 9 simple lifestyle changes that will help you achieve that goal.
Everything We Know About Asymptomatic Covid-19
This is what health experts currently know about the transmission rates of asymptomatic Covid-19 and why some people never develop the symptoms at all
Potassium Deficiency Is On the Rise - What You Should Know
Learn why potassium is so important for our bodies, how to detect a potassium deficiency, its causes, and symptoms in this guide.
Nasal Spray That Prevents COVID-19 Could Be Coming Soon
By this summer, we could all be using a nasal spray to block COVID-19. Find out what this new development is all about.
Do You Need to Get Vaccinated if You've Already Had COVID-19?
Do you need to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus if you already had the virus in the past? The short answer is - it depends...
5 Extremely Healthy Food Combos You Should All Know About...
When paired together, certain foods can be a lot healthier than if they are eaten on their own. Here are 5 extremely healthy food combinations.
Achieve Total Relaxation With Autogenic Training
Autogenic training is a wonderful relaxation technique that helps you beat stress and anxiety.
What Drinking Whiskey Actually Does to Your Body
While we now know that whiskey isn't the cure-all medicine people once though it was, it does have a few proven health benefits.
Nutritionists Approve of These 10 Healthy Processed Foods
Not all processed foods are unhealthy. Here are 10 healthy ones you can and should add to your diet!
Fix Muscle Knots in the Neck and Shoulders in a MINUTE!
You can do these easy exercises anywhere, anytime, and they will help you get rid of muscle knots in under a minute!
The BEST Exercises to Relieve Bunion Pain
These simple exercises are designed to reduce the pain caused by bunions and help slow down the progression of the condition.
Do These Things and Your Feet Will Thank You!
Give your feet a little love and attention once in a while to keep them healthy.
COVID-19 Vaccination: Can the Second Dose Be Delayed?
Wondering whether or not you can delay your COVID-19 vaccine shot? Here are some answers.
Drinking TOO Much Lemon Water Can Be Bad For Your Health
Like it is with anything in life, you can have too much of a good thing. Drinking too much lemon water, too, can be harmful and cause the following side effects...
7 Foods That Relieve Constipation the Natural Way
Constipation is one of the most common digestive issues. Alleviate this uncomfortable symptom with the natural remedies and useful tips we list here.
Warning! Read About These Mistakes Before Taking Vitamins
Are you using vitamins are supplements correctly, or are you just wasting your money? Find out by learning about the 8 most common myths on dietary supplements.
5 Exercises That'll Help Keep Your Back Muscles Strong...
A healthy and flexible back is an indication of a young body. Here you'll find some tips on detecting and preventing the first signs of this kind of aging.
Who is at Risk of Colon Cancer and How it Can Be Prevented
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer and deaths in the world. So who's most at risk? How can it be screened? Find out here!
5 Exercises to Fix an Achy Tilted Back
Sensations of stiffness and pain in the back prevent you from being able to stand up straight. Alleviate all of these annoying symptoms with these 5 simple exercises.
These Tips Will Provide Relief from Shoulder Blade Pain
These Rhomboid muscle pain stretches will help relieve pain between your shoulder blades.
5 Benefits of Botox You Never Knew About
Here are 5 alternative uses to botox that are not wrinkle prevention
10 Liver Cleansing Foods You Must Eat Everyday
Take note of these amazing foods that are scientifically proved to detoxify your liver.
Has the Covid-19 Pandemic Affected Our Immune Systems?
After a year of relative isolation, we are slowly going back to our routines. Has lockdown affected our immune systems? This is what is currently known.
8 SIMPLE Hamstring Workouts You Can Do At Home
Keep your hamstrings strong with these easy home exercises.
These Foods Are the Absolute Best Sources of Vitamin K2
K2 is an important vitamin that can reduce the risk of dental issues, heart disease and cancer, and can be found in these common foods.
New COVID-19 Medication Kills 99.9 Percent of the Virus
Researchers in Australia have developed the first-ever COVID-19 medication, and it eliminates 99.9% of the virus and halts its spread in the body.
Hearing Loss Comes With Added Risks of Dementia & Diabetes
Although we often think of hearing loss as a minor annoyance, it turns out that it can lead to several serious complications...
Can Compression Socks Cure Varicose Veins?
Learn about compression socks, their benefits and risks and what conditions they can prevent.
5 Health Reasons You Should Be Sleeping on Your Back
Can sleeping on your back affect your skin? Dermatologists believe this position can help keep you younger.
Want to Stay Smart and Healthy?