We will always remember the second wave of COVID that was triggered by the Delta variant. But the worst is behind us. We have survived.
The potent Delta variant of COVID-19 was first identified in late 2020. It was a threatening variant that spread across countries and wreaked havoc. The virus was twice as contagious as the previous variants and affected many people.
During late November 2021, as the cases began to decrease, we noticed the emergence of another mutant, better known as the Omicron variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the B.1.1.529 variant of COVID-19 a “variant of concern”.
There was initially a steep rise in infections in South Africa which later spread rapidly across countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico. In India, towards the end of January, we began to see a decline of Omicron as well.
In the wake of the two waves, scientists said that there is a possibility of people being affected by both variants.
Who is more vulnerable to co-infection from Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19? The answer is older people with comorbidities, people with a weaker immune system, and the ones who have multiple comorbidities. But the good news is, with proper caution, everyone can be safe.
Firstly, we must remember that both Delta and Omicron are variants of the same SARS-CoV-2 virus. There is a wide range of symptoms and certain symptoms may be more prominent in one strain than the other but more or less remains similar.
The common symptoms include fever or chills, breathing troubles, fatigue, body and headache, throat pain, diarrhoea and more. If you are infected with the Delta variant, you may experience more severe headaches, sore throats, high-grade fever, cough, breathing difficulties and loss of taste and smell may be seen less. In case you are infected with Omicron, you are more likely to experience cold-like symptoms accompanied by sore throat and weakness. Fever may or may not be present. It is also considered milder than Delta in terms of disease severity and has less risk of hospitalization and death. People usually do not experience loss of taste or smell if they have been infected with the Omicron variant.
It is important to note that both delta and Omicron variants can cause a full spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic, mild, moderate or even severe cases and deaths. The proportion of the population getting a severe illness or mild is definitely different for both variants.
It is not possible to confirm whether a person is infected by Delta variant or Omicron just by their symptoms. Genome sequencing is the only way to confirm the variant.
When Delta was the dominant variant it was believed that it is highly contagious and unvaccinated people were at high risk. With Omicron we figured that it spreads more quickly than Delta due to the variant’s ability to evade immunity. It may have increased transmissibility owing to its shortened incubation period and its apparent ability to stay in the upper respiratory tract and multiply quicker there.
Though the symptom profile isn’t too drastically different between the Delta and Omicron COVID-19 variants, data show that Omicron appears to be milder than Delta. The transmissibility is more with Delta and omicron and the rate of community spread is faster.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Yes, a co-infection with both Omicron and Delta at the same time may happen. While it is not common, there are a few instances under research.
If a group of people gather at a place and some of them are infected with the Omicron variant and others have the Delta variant, you may be exposed to both variants through droplets.
As the Omicron variant will infect some cells, the Delta variant will infect others and that leads to higher chances of a coinfection. Not only that, but you may also contract both the Covid new strains one after the other in close succession.
Both rapid Covid tests and RT PCR tests cannot identify which variant of the virus someone has. Hence, it is not easy to tell if you have a coinfection without genomic sequencing. The symptoms will not help you determine a coinfection, either.
A coinfection can particularly make your body really weak and it is important to consult a doctor and take utmost care. If you neglect the infection and consider it just the flu, you may put yourself at risk of sudden complications. Proper treatment, medications, good nutrition, hydration, rest and routine monitoring of vitals can reduce the chances of hospitalizations to a great extent.
Conclusion: The first and foremost thing to note here is that a fully vaccinated person has a significantly lower risk of a serious illness due to Covid. While having a coinfection of Omicron and Delta COVID-19 variants seems worrisome, with medication and proper care you can recover well. To stay protected against Delmicron, you must continue to wear a mask, follow covid appropriate behaviour and get vaccinated.
This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr Nikita Toshi.
Around the world, more people continue to get vaccinated and settle down into a life of normalcy which is helping us to shield ourselves from the various strains and cope with the new challenges in the post-pandemic era. The discovery of a new variant has raised many new questions as well as concerns amongst the general public. We’re talking, of course, about Omicron.
Read on to find out more about the latest news around the world and in India regarding Omicron and the situation so far.
States vs. Total Cases
| State | Cases |
| Maharashtra | 2199 |
| West Bengal | 1672 |
| Rajasthan | 1276 |
| Karnataka | 766 |
| Kerala | 645 |
| Delhi | 549 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 275 |
| Gujarat | 264 |
Total active Omicron cases in India: 10,050
The Government has started a new vaccination drive as a precautionary measure for teens aged 15-18 years, frontline workers and senior citizens (3rd dose) from January 3rd 2022. The vaccine that is being administered to the teens with emergency usage approval is the indigenously developed Covaxin from Bharat Biotech.
Also Read: Is Covaxin Effective Against Omicron Variant?
So, while many people were nerve-wracked over the possibility of another lockdown, till now, there seems to be no mention of that from the Health Ministry. Many states have implemented restrictions and weekend curfews. For e.g, Delhi was earlier functioning with a ‘yellow alert’ restriction in which institutions, gyms, theatres and all shops selling non-essential items were to remain closed but currently, has gone in for weekend curfews.
Similarly, the city of Kolkata has announced 44 containment zones and a complete halt of international flights flying in and out of Kolkata to London and other ‘high risk’ cities around the world. On the domestic front, staggered flights (only on Monday and Friday) are to operate between Kolkata to Delhi and Mumbai and vice versa.
Further, a statewide lockdown had been announced in Tamil Nadu on January 23rd in view of the rapid spread of the virus.
The problem with omicron variant is due to HYPERLOCAL spread. Omicron shows a 13-fold increase in viral infectivity, and is 2.8 times more infectious than the Delta variant
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The possibility of lockdowns in the world does not seem highly likely in the next few weeks but for now, the global situation stands as follows:
The other plan of both the companies is to test a third dose of the existing vaccine against the fourth dose vaccine targeted for omicron in vaccinated people who received this booster shot around 6 months ago from BioNTech/Pfizer.
Omicron or any other variant of Covid are a concern as the variants are somewhat unpredictable regarding the spread of infection and death rates, caution is always advised with Omicron as with other variants.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
There does not seem to be any particular demographic that is most at risk for getting infected by the new variant. However, almost all the initial data points towards Omicron being more transmissible.
In a study released by Nature, the reason why the Omicron variant has such a high transmission rate is due to its ability to bypass SARS CoV-2 immunity either caused by natural immunity or past infection or vaccination. In the same study, it was stated this strain does not have a heavy viral load, it is either similar to the Delta variant or lesser, this is the reason why it was able to replace the earlier (Delta) strain so quickly.
As per WHO statements earlier, people who were infected previously might have a higher risk of getting the Omicron variant.[1] But, this data may change as more studies are carried out over the next few weeks.
People with other comorbidities and weaker immunity may be at a higher risk.
Also Read: Omicron Variant and Vaccine Efficacy
Also Read: Does Covishield Work Effectively Against Omicron Variant?
Although it is still in the early stages, most nations and the WHO does not foresee any reason to stop using the existing vaccine. The goal has always been and continues to be a reduction in critical cases and lower death rates. Experts around the world have come to the conclusion that the Omicron variant will see its peak in February and by the end of the month it will taper off gradually. Currently, the month of January requires extreme caution as the infection is spreading fast. Apart from keeping social distance and avoiding crowded spaces the WHO recommends keeping up vaccination drives. For now, we need to wait and watch and keep calm without relaxing on standard pandemic protocols.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
The third wave of COVID-19 has recently brought the Omicron variant into India. Medical professionals report that this variant is far more contagious than the previous Delta variant. Therefore, the Government of India has issued the administration of a precautionary/booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine from 10th January 2022.
PharmEasy has been actively involved with vaccinations since the first drive. Therefore once again, PharmEasy has sought to open vaccination camps in Mumbai and Delhi to support the Government’s endeavour towards securing public health. According to the governmental guidelines, people aged 60 years or more with any comorbidities can take the precaution dose with a doctor’s advice.
The third dose i.e the precaution dose of the vaccine should be the same as the previous two doses. Eg. If a person took the first two doses of Covishield, the third/precaution dose should also be of Covishield.
Why the Precaution Dose?
Scientists have found the immunity created by the first two doses is gradually fading away in most people. This is especially true for senior citizens with co-morbidities and compromised immune systems. The third dose can amp up a person’s immunity.
The price of the covishield vaccine is as per govt norms issued for private hospitals.
Approximately half of older patients with COVID-19 have severe infection, one in five are critically ill and one in ten die, full vaccination with a booster is always advisable for the elderly population.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Eligibility Criteria of Precaution Dose
Vaccine Available: Covishield
The list of hospitals given below are within the PharmEasy network in Delhi and Mumbai and will be hosting these vaccination camps.
| Hospital Name | Address | City | Slot Time | Days Operational | Navigation Link |
| Surana Sethia Hospital | Sion – Trombay Rd, Suman Nagar, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071 | Mumbai | 10 am to 4 pm | MON-SAT | https://maps.app.goo.gl/qbMy7PXN1EWC9Nve7 |
| Surana Hospital and Research Centre. | End of, Tank Road, Shankar Lane, Orlem, Church, Malad West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400064 | Mumbai | 10 am to 4 pm | MON-SAT | https://maps.app.goo.gl/geN7UZqngQoPT6EC7 |
| MPCT Hospital | C7, Budhyadev Mandir Marg, Sector 4, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400705 | Mumbai | 10 am to 4 pm | MON-SAT | https://maps.app.goo.gl/WYKuL13oMorCivVR9 |
| Apex Hospital | E-22, Goswami Girdhari Lal Marg, Block E, Naraina Vihar, Naraina, New Delhi, Delhi 110028 | Delhi | 10 am to 2 pm | MON-SAT | https://maps.app.goo.gl/XmK5JbBRQLkckore8 |
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
As people around the world were breathing a sigh of relief due to the decreasing number of COVID infection cases, Omicron stepped in and reminded us that it is not over yet. The emergence of Omicron happened late in November. It has been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) that it is a new variant of SARS CoV-2. The B.1.1.529 Omicron has been classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC).
Omicron cases were first detected in Botswana and South Africa. There are confirmed cases in more than 77 countries now. Omicron cases detected in India are largely from Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, etc. This has led to panic among people, there are several international flight bans due to Omicron. People are also afraid there might be another lockdown in India as the threat rises. The UK has already seen a massive rise in cases and may be forced into lockdown. We don’t know for sure the severity of illness it causes, or how effective vaccines are against it, but research is on.
There is a lot of research ongoing regarding the Omicron variant and its transmissibility. Children seem to have a stronger immune response to the coronavirus infection but may be at a greater risk of contracting the Omicron virus. This is why the focus is now on vaccinating children.
The quick rise of the variant shows that it has some capacity to evade immunity. A lot of people including South Africans are fully vaccinated, despite which a large number of people were infected.
Studies suggest that breakthrough infections in South Africa took place even though the vaccines administered were Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Some countries have focused on giving booster doses. It is believed that a third dose may decrease Omicron’s ability to evade the antibodies.
Even if the effectiveness of vaccines against Omicron comes out to be slightly low, it remains the best way to protect people from COVID-19. Scientists are currently investigating Omicron, but the tools we already have for protection are masks, sanitisers, vaccines, availability of tests, awareness of safety measures that can be of great help irrespective of the type of variant.
The spread of the Omicron variant may make you question the effectiveness of the vaccines, but you must remember that Delta is still the dominant variant and the safety measures and vaccines will help you reduce the threat of severe COVID infection from all variants. No studies so far, have proven the ineffectiveness of vaccines in Omicron. While researches are being carried on, you must continue to follow COVID guidelines to stay safe and get vaccinated.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
With 2021 coming to an end, a new COVID-19 variant has posed a threat to the resumption of normalcy. This variant, the B.1.1.529, popularly known as the Omicron variant, is now being studied closely by scientists, medical practitioners, and medical officials. Although the number of cases of Omicron detected in India are just above 100 now, there may be a good chance of it increasing exponentially in the next couple of months.
While the Omicron variant has already made its entry into India, it is supposed to have originated from South Africa, and officially been identified in Botswana.
Soon after the identification of this new variant of COVID-19 by a team in Botswana headed by Dr Sikhulile Moyo, the World Health Organisation (WHO) did not hesitate to classify it as a Variant Of Concern (VOC). The reason that the WHO has classified this variant of COVID-19 as a VOC is because of the high number of mutations and its rate of transmission. Soon after, many other countries also identified this new variant affecting their population.
Do not hesitate to get an RT-PCR for diagnosis of Covid even if you experience mild symptoms and no fever. Early identification, self-isolation and treatment can play a significant role at this time.
Although the most recent data suggests that the Omicron variant has much higher transmissibility than even the previously deadly Delta variant, it does not seem to be overloading hospitals yet. The latest data points out that even though more than 50,000 cases have been reported in the last couple of weeks in the origin country of this variant, the number of deaths reported due to Omicron is significantly low.
This naturally poses questions about the transmissibility and the severity of this mutation of the Coronavirus.
Based on statistical data from South Africa, the epicentre of this new mutation, it has been assumed that the Omicron variant is 3 times more capable of infecting other people as compared to the delta variant. Moreover, the rate of increasing cases has surpassed that of the previous 3 waves of COVID-19 as well.
At the other end of the globe, Japanese researchers have been able to confirm that the Omicron variant is 4.2 times more transmissible than previously reported variants. Apart from the countries in the African continent, this new mutation has penetrated the populations of the UK and other European countries as well. More than 77 countries have reported Omicron cases so far. There can also be a case that some countries may have undetected cases of Omicron spreading. What is more alarming is the fact that the number of cases has been seen to be doubling every 1.5 to 3 days.
Also read: Chamoy Benefits: A Research-Backed Health And Flavour Guide
Most patients in the affected regions of Africa have reported mild to severe headaches, scratchy throat, body aches and a constant sense of fatigue. This is a stark contrast to the symptoms reported by patients during the Delta wave (which included fluctuating pulse rates and respiratory trouble). However, it is important to note that it is too early to comment anything on the presentation and severity of this variant. There are reports on cases with severe symptoms and fatal consequences as well.
World Health Organisation says not to take this variant lightly because-
A high number of mutations in the spike protein of Omicron has raised a question on the efficacy of existing Covid vaccines. There are no studies so far to show the inefficiency of vaccines so far. There can be some variation in the efficacy but vaccines are definitely going to help. Also, delta is still the dominant variant so irrespective of the variant type we need to get ourselves vaccinated and follow steps to reduce our risk of exposure.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron Variant?
While the transmissibility of this new variant currently seems much higher than any previous variants of the Coronavirus, it is important to remember that timely medical intervention is the key. And more important is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated and following all the safety measures sincerely. On a positive note, we are all well versed with Covid-appropriate behaviour by now and can play a heroic role in reducing the spread of Covid infections in our region.
Whatever it may be, it is always important to eat a nutritious diet rich in antioxidants and exercise regularly, to help boost your body’s natural immunity. This can, to a great extent, help your body fight off the infection and suppress any life-threatening symptoms.
Read More: Precautions to Take Against The Omicron Variant
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr Nikita Toshi.
The year 2021 began with one of the largest vaccination drives in the world right here in India. COVID-19 vaccinations in India were conducted in several phases which began on 16th January this year and helped to dramatically reduce the number of new and active cases within the country. Currently, 128 Crore people in India have been partially vaccinated while 47.7 Crore have been fully vaccinated with two doses. However, the emergence of the new Omicron variant has led to ambiguities about the efficacy of these vaccines.
The Omicron variant is the latest mutation of the Sars-CoV-2 (or the COVID-19) and this strain (B.1.1.529) has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Variant of Concern (VOC).[1] The WHO has released limited guidelines regarding the Omicron variant that state that there may be an increased chance of re-infection even for those who have developed natural antibodies and/or have been fully vaccinated.[2]
Since there is very little research on the transmissibility and effects of the new Omicron variant, the Government of India has revised the COVID-19 travel guidelines for international travellers. Although there has not yet been any flight ban due to the Omicron virus issued by the Indian government, some new guidelines for international travellers coming to India have been imposed.
All international passengers (whether vaccinated or unvaccinated) will have to submit a negative RT-PCR report that cannot be older than 72 hours before the date of travel.
Along with submitting a recent RT-PCR report, passengers now also need to submit a self-declaration on the Air Suvidha portal. This will verify the authenticity of your report and if found otherwise, the person can be liable to criminal prosecution.
The new guidelines have made testing mandatory for passengers coming from COVID ‘at-risk’ countries like South Africa, Brazil, the UK, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.
The airports have also been directed to randomly select 2% of all passengers coming from countries that have not reported incidents of the Omicron variant, for RT-PCR testing. Those who do not test positive are advised 7 days of quarantine and self-monitoring of health upon arrival, while those who test positive, will be isolated.
International passengers who are found to receive positive results after the RT-PCR testing at airports will be sent to mandatory isolation. Their samples will be sent to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) laboratories for further testing.
Although the rules of RT-PCR testing are the same for all international travellers, there may be exemptions for certain types of international travellers. For example, if you are travelling from a ‘not-at-risk country’ and have only a transit (without leaving immigration) in an ‘at-risk’ country before taking your destination flight, you can be exempted from RT-PCR testing upon arrival.
Also Read: Precautions to Take Against Omicron Variant
Several Indian states have also revamped domestic travel restrictions in the wake of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. Here is everything you need to know about domestic travel restrictions with regard to the Omicron variant.
Most states in India still require you to produce a negative RT-PCR test result that is between 24 to 96 hours old. The exact time frame and guidelines vary from state to state.
In some Indian states, institutional quarantine has been imposed for domestic passengers as well. The state of Maharashtra has declared that all high-risk domestic passengers need to undergo a compulsory RT-PCR test at the airport. If the result of this test is positive, then the passenger will be transferred to a hospital to be kept in institutional quarantine for 7 days.
During the spread of the Delta and the Delta Plus variants of COVID-19, several countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, the Philippines and Canada, had placed travel bans on Indian travellers. However, most of these bans had been lifted following the hugely successful mass immunization in India.
Also Read: Omicron Vs Other Variants
While the new variants may be concerning to both doctors and scientists, it is always advisable to get vaccinated because it does provide a reasonable degree of protection. Keep handy your vaccination certificates while travelling and avoid travel plans if not urgent. Apart from that, you can always eat healthily and stay active to maintain a strong immune system which can also help prevent the contraction of diseases and other viral infections induced by season change. It is also important to strictly adhere to COVID related safety practices.
Also Read: Omicron Variant: Latest News and Updates
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr Nikita Toshi.
Around the world, the vaccination rate is thankfully ticking up with over 55% of the population inoculated as we head into the end of 2021. In India, the same figure stands at 32% with more than 57% of the country receiving at least 1 dose. Recently, the WHO designated a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a Variant of Concern, giving it the name ‘Omicron’.
Since the Delta variant, we have all been on the lookout for what will come next and it seems our questions have been answered. What kind of threat does Omicron pose? Will we see increased lockdowns in India or around the world like when Delta first came to light? Let’s discuss what we know so far.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, like all viruses and bacteria, constantly evolves and mutates. Mutations are common and most mutations typically do not cause any drastic changes in how the virus behaves or interacts with humans.
Once in a while, however, a mutation or change in the virus can alter its properties significantly. For example, it could impact the rate of transmissibility and change how effective the virus is at invading the immune system. This could make the virus better at infecting us. Now, since viruses are constantly changing, it would be impossible and ineffective to track every variation that occurs. That’s why the WHO uses a methodical approach, identifying Variants that need to be tracked and observed.
Variants of Concern is one category that identifies variants that can spread more easily, can cause serious illness or those that do not get treated or diagnosed easily by the existing measures as easily as existing variants. Omicron is the latest variant to receive the Variant of Concern title and was first detected in South Africa, with at least 30 countries having its cases by December 2021. The first cases of Omicron detected in India were discovered in Karnataka.
The World Health Organisation created the naming convention for variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, both to simplify matters and help reduce stigma. The Variants of Interest and Concern are named simply after letters in the Greek alphabet.
Technically, the variants that we watch over all have long-winded scientific names. The scientific name for the Delta variant is B.1.617.2, while for Omicron it is B.1.1.529. These are long, hard to grasp titles. To make things easy for the media and general population to understand things, the WHO uses this Greek naming scheme.
Another reason is to help avoid blame games and finger-pointing on a global scale. Often when a new variant is discovered, the country where it is first detected often gets an unfair association with the outbreak of that variant. For example, the Delta variant has long been addressed as the ‘Indian variant’.
The previous variants of the virus were designated Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and so on. Although following the sequence, the latest variant was expected to be named Nu. But Nu and Xi letters in Greek were skipped and Omicron was chosen as the name for this new variant.
The WHO has emphasised time and again that vaccination remains our strongest tool in fighting off the disease as well as preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. The organisation is working to understand the effectiveness of vaccines against this variant, however, vaccination continues to be one of the leading forces in limiting the severity of symptoms and death.
Also Read: Is Covaxin Effective Against Omicron?
There is not much we can know until the initial studies are complete and more data is collected. For new information always use trusted sources such as the WHO or government websites. Do not trust unverified information such as that found through messaging forwards and social media posts. We have no need to panic but every need to keep following the standard COVID-19 protocols. Wearing a mask, keeping physical distance, following respiratory etiquettes and maintaining proper hand hygiene should continue. And as the WHO has said, we need to continue with our vaccination efforts. Maybe we have all begun to relax a bit and that’s understandable. But this new variant comes as a reminder to stay vigilant and stay safe.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
