A new Covid-19 variant named Omicron has been identified in South Africa. Read to know what it is, its symptoms, how it differs from other variants and more.

2. Everything You Should Know About
Omicron Variant
• Just when we thought that it's nearly the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, there
appears news of a novel, more potent and heavily mutated variant of coronavirus.
• On 26th November 2021, the World Health Organization announced a new strain of
Covid-19 named Omicron and had assigned it as a '' variant of concern".
• There is not enough information on the omicron variant, but experts say it can lead
to a growth in the rate of infections.

3. Here's what we know about the
omicron variant, its symptoms and
more.

4. What is Omicron Variant?
• As SARS-CoV-2 spreads, newer variants tend to arise. However, each mutation
holds a different significance, which we can know after some time only.
• The health authorities globally need to keep watching to see which mutations hold
greater significance than others. Such constant observation led to the detection of
the B.1.1.529 variant, which is named Omicron and termed as a ''variant of
concern''.
• The B.1.1.529 variant has multiple spike protein mutations, and the scientific
analysis suggests that it is expanding at a faster rate as compared to other variants
and is also highly infectious.
• Currently, the Omicron variant is rapidly unfolding in South Africa and other
countries like Israel, Belgium, Botswana, Australia, Canada and others.

5. ‘
Symptoms of Omicron Variant:
• No data says the symptoms connected to the Omicron variant differs from other
variants. As of now, it is stated that symptoms of the Omicron variant are mild and
are curable at home.
• The symptoms of any coronavirus variant can be fever, cough, chills, shortness of
breath, loss of taste or smell, body ache, tiredness, sore throat, runny nose, etc.
• Although, like every other variant, the Omicron variant can lead to severe infection
or death in the vulnerable section of people.
• Some of the symptoms of patients infected by the Omicron variant are scratchy
throat and extreme tiredness.
• There are no cases where oxygen saturation has dropped due to infection caused by
Omicron variant. As per doctors, patients who were infected have recovered after
hospitalization.

6. How is the Omicron Variant Different from
Other Variants, and Why Does it Impose High
Risk?
• The Omicron variant has 30+ mutations in the coronavirus spike protein, and out of
these 30 mutations, 26 are unique mutations, not appearing in other variants of
concern.
• On the other hand, the alpha, beta, gamma & delta variants have 4, 6, 8 and 7
unique mutations, respectively.
• Few mutations of the Omicron variant exist in other variants as well, which led to a
surge in positive cases previously.
• Some of the common mutations in the variants of concern are associated with
increasing transmissibility and evading immunity. However, the whole significance
of these mutations remains dubious at this time.

7. Does Covid-19 Vaccine Work Against
Omicron Variant?
• Currently, WHO is working with its potential technical partners to understand the
impact of the Omicron variant on the vaccine.
 Some scientists believe the vaccine can reduce the severity of infection and death
caused by this variant.
 Those who are fully vaccinated yet infected by the delta variant have a greater
immune response against any variant.
 Some clear information on the effectiveness of vaccines and natural immunity
response on this variant may take some time.
 If, as anticipated, the Omicron variant spreads faster, then this virus may affect
unvaccinated people more since they neither have natural nor have vaccinated
immunity.

8. What Precautions Should One Take?
• First things first, do not panic.
• Ensure you take both doses of vaccines and, if available, take a booster shot too.
• Maintain social distancing and wear a mask every time you go outside or meet
outside people, even if you are fully vaccinated.
• Avoid visiting crowded places
• Wash and sanitize your hands regularly and disinfect surfaces.
You must break the chain of transmission by following the above-stated things.

9. The Covid-19 pandemic is beyond over, and considering the newer variant, it
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To know more, visit: Everything We Know So Far About Omicron Variant