There are four dominant variants of SARS-CoV-2 spreading among global populations: the Alpha Variant (formerly called the UK Variant), first found in London and Kent, the Beta Variant (formerly called the South Africa Variant), the Gamma Variant (formerly called the Brazil Variant), and the Delta Variant (formerly called the India Variant).
OMICRON VIRUS:-
Omicron Virus is the new and fifth variant of the COVID19 virus it was first reported to WHO (World Health Organization) from South Africa on 24 November 2021. The toxicological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was for the most part the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, corresponding with the detection of the B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron Virus). The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 (Omicron Virus) infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021.
This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are disturbing. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other COVID 19 Variants. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR (On 11 February 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses adopted the official name "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) diagnostics continues to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this test can therefore be used as a marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.
There are a number of studies underway and the TAG-VE will continue to evaluate this variant. WHO will communicate new findings with the Member States and to the public as needed.
Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology, the TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a VOC and the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron.
As such, countries are asked to do the following:
enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID (Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System).
where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, the effectiveness of public health and social measures, diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization, or other relevant characteristics.
Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving the ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.
with genetic changes that are predicted or known to affect virus characteristics such as transmissible, disease severity, immune escape, diagnostic or therapeutic escape; AND
that has been identified as causing significant community transmission or multiple COVID-19 clusters, in multiple countries with increasing relative prevalence alongside an increasing number of cases over time, or other seeming epidemics impacts to suggest an emerging risk to global public health.
increase in transfer-ability or disturbing change in COVID-19 epidemics.
increase in bitterness or change in clinical disease presentation.
decrease in the effectiveness of state health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, healing.
Q1) What are signs and symptoms of the coronavirus disease?
Signs and symptoms include respiratory symptoms and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and sometimes death.
Q2) How long does it take for symptoms of the coronavirus disease to appear?
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