What is Omicron?, COVID-19 Omicron Variant, Omicron Variant of Corona Virus, Symptoms of Omicron Variant, Precautions in Omicron, COVID-19 New Variant, Corona Virus New Variant, Omicron Variant, Omicron Variant of Corona Virus
On 24 November 2021, a new COVID variant identified in South Africa. The new COVID variant is given name Omicron (Omicron Variant), World Health Organization has designated the new COVID variant as the variant of concerned. After knowing that a new variant of COVID has been identified the whole world is panicking about this. Through this article you will get the detailed (Omicron Variant of Corona Virus) information about the COVID Omicron Variant.
What is the Omicron Variant?
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been called a variant of concerned by WHO based on the evidences that it has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves. There is still substantial uncertainty regarding omicron and a lot of research underway to evaluate its transmissibility, severity and reinfection risk.
|Detected In||South Africa|
|Detected On||24 November 2021|
|Variant Type||Variant of Concern|
How did the Omicron variant develop?
When a virus is circulating widely and causing numerous infections, the likelihood of the virus mutating increases. The more opportunities a virus has to spread the more opportunities it has to undergo changes. New variants like Omicron are a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. It is therefore essential that people get the vaccine when available to them and continue to follow existing advice on preventing the spread of the virus, including physical distancing, wearing masks, regular hand washing and keeping indoor areas well ventilated. It is also crucial that vaccines and other Public Health measures are accessible everywhere. Vaccine inequality leaves lower income countries- many of them in Africa- at the mercy of COVID-19.
Is the Omicron variant more severe than other COVID-19 variants?
Early findings suggest that Omicron might be less severe than the Delta variant, but more data is needed and WHO warns that it should not be dismissed as ‘mild’. It is important to remember that all variants of COVID-19 can cause severe diseases or death including the Delta variant that is still dominate world wide, which is why preventing the spread of the virus and reducing your risk of exposure to the virus is so important.
Symptoms of Omicron variant (Omicron Variant of Corona Virus)
Most Common Symptoms
Most common symptoms for the new COVID variant ‘Omicron’ are fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell.
Less Common Symptoms
Less common symptoms for the new COVID variant ‘Omicron’ are sore throat, headache, aches, pains, diarrhoea rash on skin, discoloration of fingers or toes, red or irritated eyes.
Serious symptoms for the new COVID variant ‘Omicron’ a difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, loss of a speech on mobility, or confusion or chest pain.
Is the Omicron variant contagious?
Omicron variant is spreading more quickly than other variants. Based on the primary information available, WHO believes it is likely that Omicron will outpace the Delta variant where there is COVID-19 transmission in the community. However being vaccinated and taking precautions such as avoiding crowded spaces, keeping your distances from others and wearing a mask are critical in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and we know these actions have been effective against other variants.
Are the COVID-19 Vaccines effective against the Omicron variant?
Researchers are looking into any potential impact the Omicron variant has on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Information is still limited but there are may be a small reduction in the effectiveness of vaccines against severe illness and death, and the decline in preventing mild disease and infection. However WHO reports that so far it looks like the currently available vaccines of a significant protection against severe disease and death. It is recommended to take vaccines. It is also important to be vaccinated to protect against other widely circulating variants such as Delta variant.