When India is troubled by a steep rise in the cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the United States and some European countries are facing an all-new threat called “Delmicron”. Now, you would be filled with so many queries like if this is a new variant of Coronavirus? If this is going to trigger the third wave? If it is deadlier or milder than the Omicron variant?

First of all, there is no need to panic and we are here to answer all your queries.

What is Delmicron?

Delmicron is not a new variant of Coronavirus, but as per the experts, it is the term used for the infections spreading together due to twin spikes of Delta and Omicron variants. The name has also been derived by combining the names of the previous two variants of COVID-19. The reason for coming up with this name was that both variants are being found all over the world. 

Currently, the US and UK are the COVID-19 hotbeds across the globe. According to the data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Omicron has already taken over the Delta variant with about 73 percent sequenced cases (by December 18). Just a week earlier, the Delta variant was dominating with a total of 87 percent caseload.

Even more shockingly, CDC has estimated that over 90 percent of the cases in portions of the Northwest, South, Southeast and Northeast are of the Omicron variant. These numbers clearly show that the US is battling both variants at the same time. The UK is also facing a similar situation with the number of cases rising rapidly.

Delmicron Symptoms

The symptoms of the Delmicron are similar to Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19. Please have a look at the most common symptoms reported by the patients:

• High fever
• Persistent cough
• Loss of smell
• Loss of sense of taste
• Severe headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
  

The researchers have claimed that both, Omicron and Delta variants, are highly transmissible. The UK government scientists, however, have claimed that people who contract the Delta variant are more likely to fall sick with serious symptoms than those who get infected with the Omicron variant.

Various variants in India 

The Indian scientists are yet to figure out how the Omicron variant would behave in the localities where there is widespread exposure to the Delta variant. Some of them, however, think that the Omicron variant would not affect the Indian population as badly as the Delta strain of COVID-19.

Looking at the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, some experts believe that even if a majority of people report mild symptoms, third wave can affect a larger population. The total number of hospitalisations can still be higher if we do not limit the spread of this virus. Are we on the brink of the third COVID-19 wave?

India has started to feel the heat of carelessly celebrating the holiday season of the New Year 2022. On Friday, 7th Jan 2022, India has reported 1,17,100 cases of COVID-19 infection which is way higher than a few weeks earlier when there were just about 5,000 cases being recorded in a day. It would not be wrong to say that we are heading towards yet another wave of COVID pandemic.

Takeaway

The governments of respective states have started to impose night curfews and close down schools and cinema halls, but all this would be futile if we as the citizen of India do not understand our responsibility and abide by the social protocols established by the government. All of us must avoid social gatherings, wear a mask whenever outside and maintain physical distancing at public places. Getting vaccinated is also one of our main responsibilities to protect ourselves and our country from the dreadful effects of COVID-19.

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