The holiday season is just around the corner as we are about to wrap up the year 2021. It definitely was not as anyone would have expected it to be but together, we somehow managed to emerge victorious over the Delta variant of COVID-19 that had wreaked havoc around the world in mid-2021.
Well, we might have won a battle against COVID-19 but the war is far from over as the virus has struck back with a brand new variant named Omicron, and with winter celebrations and New Year in the offing, its spread is most likely to become rampant all across the world.
There, however, are still some ways that can help us in containing the spread of the Omicron variant despite it being more contagious than the Delta variant. Below, we have mentioned some expert advice on how to stay and keep your family members safe during the holiday season amid the Omicron crisis. Have a look:
Apart from avoiding huge gatherings, you should also maintain at least a six-feet distance from others when outdoors. Masks have not yet become optional accessories but continue to be an essential safety net in the war against COVID-19.
One must wear their mask properly so it covers their nose and mouth.
This is the first thing you need to do to save yourself from contracting this virus. While the scientists are yet to ascertain if Omicron is more severe than the Delta variant, experts have advised not to join any large gatherings and to prefer being outdoors instead of attending or throwing indoor events.
As people tend to travel a lot during the New Year festive season, the experts have advised people to be a little more flexible about the place they want to visit. Doing some research about the place you want to visit and finding out the active number of COVID-19 cases in the locality can help you in staying safe. Moreover, you can also find out the vaccination coverage in the particular region to better evaluate the risk of visiting there.
Gather with others who are up-to-date on their vaccines and who you can count on to not come if they have symptoms. Smaller gatherings can be lower risk than larger gatherings. Gatherings held outdoors are lower risk for spread than indoor gatherings. All this reduces your risk of spreading a virus.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The Indian healthcare system has impressively covered a huge number of people in terms of COVID-19 vaccinations but still, there are a lot of people who are either yet to receive their second dose or have not got jabbed even once. So, the best possible way to prevent the Omicron infection is to get vaccinated on priority. There are speculations that the new variant may be able to cause breakthrough infection, but nothing is confirmed as of now. Furthermore, the initial studies prove that the Omicron virus can dodge immunity only to some extent. Hence, getting jabbed is the best defence mechanism we can opt for at the moment.
While travelling outstation, it is a good practice to keep some rapid test kits handy to determine if you have contracted the virus or not. Despite not being fully accurate, they can largely help in diagnosing the infection in the early days helping you to get early treatment as well as isolation.
Do not ignore any symptoms of illness- fever, sore/scratch throat, weakness, body ache etc. Isolate yourself, consult a doctor and do not meet other people till you are not sure of your disease. It is important for the safety of your loved ones.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron?
COVID-19 was about to enter the endemic stage before the Omicron variant first appeared in South Africa and has spread to several countries since then. India itself has reported over 200 cases as of now, with Delhi and Maharashtra being the hub of the spread with 54 cases each. Hence, it is our responsibility to celebrate the upcoming holiday season cautiously and contain the spread of this variant before it becomes rampant. Virtual parties can be a safe and happy mode of celebration. Avoid any unnecessary travel, act responsibly and don’t forget to keep your masks on!
Also Read: 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.
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.
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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.
When the world had started believing that COVID-19 is about to enter the endemic stage, the virus has struck back with a brand new variant named Omicron, also known as B.1.1.529. The new variant has reignited the speculations over the emergence of a third COVID-19 wave in India, which can completely disrupt our life. As per the initial research, the new variant has a high amount of spike mutations that were never recorded before.
Omicron seems to be very rampant in terms of spreading as its cases did not take many days to pop up in many other countries after first being reported in South Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Omicron as a “variant of concern”.
The newest variant of SARS-CoV-2 was first reported to the WHO on November 24, 2021. The variant was detected in the specimen collected on November 11 in Botswana and on November 14 in South Africa.
Soon after receiving the report, WHO classified Omicron as a variant of concern on November 26, followed by the United States on November 30 before the country recorded its first case on December 1. The next day, India recorded its first two cases of the Omicron variant.
With the limited number of cases recorded so far, there is only a little information available about the symptoms. It has been said that the Omicron variant can present itself with extreme tiredness, body aches, throat discomfort (scratching or soreness), fever and some headache.
As the number of cases has been very low so far, there can be a possibility of this strain presenting severe symptoms in some people. Hence, experts are suggesting not to take this variant lightly.
The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than some of the previous variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown. More data are needed to know if Omicron infections and especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants. Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work. Based on the changed genetic make-up of Omicron, some treatments are likely to remain effective while others may be less effective.
Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths due to infection with COVID-19 and also the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
Scientists are working to learn more about the Omicron variant to better understand how easy it might be transmitted and the effectiveness of currently authorized or approved medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests, against this variant. New information about the virologic, epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of the Omicron variant is rapidly emerging. Scientific bodies recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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.
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