- In November 2021, the Omicron variant emerged and scientists are still learning about it. - Preliminary evidence suggests Omicron is more transmissible than Delta but does not appear to cause more severe illness. - Current COVID vaccines, especially with boosters, and prevention strategies like masking are still effective against Omicron and can reduce risk of hospitalization and death. Tests and antiviral drugs also still work to identify and treat Omicron. Effectiveness of monoclonal antibody treatments against Omicron is still being determined.

1. OMICRON VARIANT
ANWER GHANI
Summarization of observations of Robert Bollinger on Johns Hopkins Medicine.

2. Coronavirus Variants
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, several coronavirus
variants have emerged as the virus, SARS-CoV-2, continues to
mutate and evolve.

3. Coronavirus Variants
In November 2021, a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
emerged, and was named omicron by the World Health
Organization (WHO).

4. Omicron: There is much to learn
Because of its recent emergence, scientists are just starting to
learn about omicron

5. Is omicron more transmissible (contagious)?
There is some preliminary evidence suggesting the omicron
variant is more infectious than the delta variant.

6. -
There is no evidence so far that the standard prevention
strategies, including vaccination, masking, distancing,
ventilation and hand-washing are not effective in reducing the
risk of infection or transmission.

7. Does omicron cause more severe COVID-19 illness?
The answer appears to be no.

8. Do the COVID vaccines still work?
Being fully vaccinated, including boosters, will still provide a
reduced risk of hospitalization and death.
If we find that the current vaccines are not providing optimal
protection against severe disease or death due to this variant,
we will be able to quickly modify the current vaccines to
address omicron.

9. Does the omicron variant show up on COVID tests?
The available commercial diagnostic PCR (polymerase chain
reaction) and antigen COVID tests still appear to work to
identify the omicron variant.

10. Do the current antiviral drugs still work on omicron?
Some antiviral drugs work by limiting a virus’ ability to make
copies of itself (replicate) in the body.
Remdesivir is the only such antiviral drug currently authorized
for emergency.
Two other antiviral drugs, one from Merck and one from
Pfizer, are under FDA review to see if they, too, can be
authorized.

11. Do current monoclonal antibody (MAbs) treatments still work
for people infected with the omicron variant?
We do not know yet how well the current MAbs will work for
the omicron variant, but we will know very soon how well
they neutralize omicron in the lab.
If they neutralize, this will be reassuring. If they do not, I am
confident that we will be able to quickly modify the current
MAbs to address this,” he says.