OMICRON COVID VARIANT
The world is once again in a COVID fear after reporting multiple cases of another new COVID variant, The OMICRON, that spread from South Africa, where its first case was reported on 9th November. A new strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, known as B.1.1.529, has been labeled the "Omicron variant" by the World Health Organization and classified as a "variant of concern”.
Scientists from South Africa have not yet confirmed anything related to this variant, except its family & how does it spread.
According to WHO, Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron.
The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant.
Omicron cases have been reported in different countries such as South Africa, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherland, France, Scotland, and Spain.
But this is been highlighted that almost every country has reported OMICRON cases.
The more disturbing aspect of the omicron variant is its large number of mutations in its spike proteins, which are 50 different types of mutations
Spike proteins are tools for these variants that help them to attach to human cells and infect them.
The previously reported variant of COVID-19 “DELTA” has 9 mutations in spike proteins. The number of mutations shows, how quickly these can spread than other variants.
According to scientists, OMICRON is 500% times more transmissible than other variants of COVID-19.
HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM OMICRON?
- Keep a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others.
- wear a well-fitting mask
- open windows to improve ventilation.
- keep hands clean.
- Cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue.
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