The Omicron is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) from South Africa on 24 November 2021. On 26 November 2021, the WHO designated it as a variant of concern. The omicron variant has a large number of mutations. The Omicron variant has a total of 60 mutations compared to the original Wuhan variant. On 26 November, the WHO's Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) declared B.1.1.529 a variant of concern and designated it with the Greek letter omicron. The WHO skipped the preceding letters Nu and Xi in the Greek alphabet to avoid confusion with the similarities of the English word "new" and the Chinese surname Xi. The World Health Organization reserves a Greek-letter designation for variants of concern.
WHO Concern
The WHO said that the large number of mutations can reduce immunity in people who were previously infected (i.e., people who have previously had COVID-19 could become reinfected more easily with Omicron). It is also possible the omicron variant might be more infective than prior variants. The effects of the mutations are unknown as of November 2021. The WHO warns that health services could be overwhelmed especially in nations with low vaccination rates and urges all nations to increase COVID-19 vaccinations.
Effectiveness of Vaccines
WHO is working to understand the potential impact of this variant on our existing vaccines. Vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant: Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death.
Bharat Biotech’s Covid vaccine Covaxin may be more effective against the highly-mutating Omicron variant, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) officer has said. Covaxin is a virion-inactivated vaccine that covers the entire coronavirus and can work against highly mutated Omicron Covid variant, an ICMR official said.
Recommended Actions for Countries
As Omicron has been designated a Variant of Concern by WHO. Countries should continue to implement the effective public health measures to reduce COVID-19 circulation overall. They should increase some public health and medical capacities to manage increase in cases. WHO is providing countries with support and guidance for both readiness and response. In addition, it is vitally important that inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines are urgently addressed to ensure that vulnerable groups everywhere, including health workers and older persons, receive their first and second doses.
Omicron in India
Omicron variant is spreading fast in country. As on 6 December 2021, India has reported total 21 cases of Omicron variant after detecting 17 new cases on 5 December. India's first two cases of Omicron variant was reported in Karnataka. The third case was reported in Gujarat, the fourth in Maharashtra and fifth in Delhi. Nine cases in Jaipur and seven from Maharashtra.
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