The cases of Omicron infection, a new variant of Covid-19 causing virus, have seen alarming spread in just two weeks. On November 24, only two countries had reported Omicron cases but by December 9 the number of affected countries rose to 59. These 59 countries have reported 2,936 Omicron cases. Besides this, 78,054 probable cases have also been detected, and their genome sequencing is underway.
Though the symptoms of infections are mild so far, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rate of hospitalisation resulting from infection is likely to rise, overwhelming the health infrastructure.
Cases have been reported from the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Ghana, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Hong Kong and Israel.
Dr Shahid Jameel, Director, Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University and Gautam Menon, Prof of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University, on Friday said they expect the cases in India to rise by early next year.
Both the experts also called for mask-wearing, care for ventilation, physical distancing and stepping up vaccination to check the spread of the new strain and said that the responsibility for these rests as much with the individual as with the Government.
However, what has come as a relief so far is that there have been mild symptoms in the patients. According to WHO, Omicron variant has several mutations, which is why it has been tagged as “Variant of Concern”.
The WHO is still studying its severity and says that “it is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (spreads more easily from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta.” However, it said that the number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant and epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors.
The WHO also observed that it was not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections from other variants, including Delta. It added that 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.
WHO also noted that understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks.
Highlighting the concern with this variant of Covid-19, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said to a news channel that “the problem with B.1.1.529 is the unique mutation that has occurred. It has more than 50 mutations and 30 have occurred at the spike protein site, the crown-like protein on the surface of the virus that vaccines train our bodies to attack.
“So, if we will have so many mutations at that site then one is worried that will the immunity hold or will there be a higher immune escape mechanism. All this will increase chances of reinfections or getting infections even after vaccination has been done and that is the cause of worry for now with this variant,” he said.
“The condition in South Africa has indicated that the cases have gone up indicating a high transmissibility, but the severity of the disease is low. However, that shouldn’t result in laxity, we all need to follow all the precautions like we were doing before. We cannot afford to be careless,” said Dr VK Paul, NITI Aayog member (Health).
