On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). This decision was based on the evidence presented to the TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes.
The emergence of the Omicron, a new variant of Covid has become a new reason for worry worldwide. It has given rise to a new debate that will it cause a third wave in India or not? Indian health experts said that it is quite early to say if we are about to face the third wave. However, if we remained careless, the variant will enter India and can have detrimental effects.
Symptoms of Omicron:
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa has said that currently, “no unusual symptoms” have been reported following infection with the B.1.1.529 variant. It has highlighted the fact that, as with other infectious variants such as Delta, some individuals are asymptomatic.
Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical Association, told AFP she had seen around 30 patients over the past 10 days who tested positive for Covid-19 but had unfamiliar symptoms.
The Omicron patients reported extreme tiredness, mild muscle aches, a scratchy throat and dry cough, the doctor told AFP. Only a few had a slightly high temperature.
Also read: Covid-like Norovirus confirmed in Kerala; Know symptoms, preventive measures to stay safe
Precautions to take against Omicron:
Experts say that it is important to be fully vaccinated in order to protect ourselves from the deadly virus. Moreover, social distancing, masking, good ventilation in public indoor spaces, and washing or sanitizing hands and surfaces regularly are still necessary.