The arrival of a new strain of COVID-19 has created a stir in the whole world. This variant, named Omicron, was first found in South Africa. The World Health Organization has also showed concern about this new variant. The US and Australia have banned flights coming from South Africa. Once again this new variant has created fear all over the world.
The first case of the Omicron variant was confirmed in South Africa on 24 November and the first known infection was found from a sample collected on 9 November. Many countries are scrambling to contain the spread of Omicron and have banned flights from South African countries, even as stock markets and oil prices tumbled, potentially crippling global economic growth. Reform has suffered a heavy blow.
The UN health agency said that it could take several weeks to complete the Omicron study, which will see whether the Kovid vaccines and trials have an effect on it. After South Africa, this strain has spread to many other countries including Botswana.
The World Health Organization has also acknowledged that this stain can prove to be dangerous for people. Expressing his concern about the variant, it has been said that it is a rapidly spreading variant. It is quite dangerous and this virus has been detected in both the people who have been vaccinated.
What is the new variant?
According to the information received so far, the Omicron variant has many spike protein mutations and is highly contagious. So far many variants of the corona epidemic have been revealed. Scientists are also eyeing new variants. It is believed that this variant is efficient in defeating immunity rapidly and it is being said to be the most dangerous variant so far.
What are the symptoms?
South Africa’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has said that no unusual symptoms have been reported for infection with the Omicron variant.” The NICD also noted that some people infected with Omicron, like Delta, were asymptomatic. were not visible.
According to WHO, the current SARS-CoV-2 PCR can detect this variant. In view of this new variant the world is on alert, passengers coming from Africa in several countries are not allowed in many countries.
