OMICRON Status In India

OMICRON Status In India SIMS Hospital

What is OMICRON?

Omicron (B.1.1.529) is a variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was first identified in COVID-19 patients in Botswana and the South African nation. The World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) felt that this virus had several mutations and should easily unfold globally inflicting a spike in COVID cases worldwide.

Symptoms of the Omicron variant

Some of the foremost common symptoms of COVID-19 embrace – fever, nasal discharge, body pain, head ache and loose stools. We are nonetheless to receive confirmatory information on the severity and symptoms of the new COVID variant – Omicron.

Other attainable symptoms are Body Weakness and Extreme tiredness, and headache.

What Are the Precautions for Omicron Virus?

The best way to stay safe from Omicron is by following all WHO and Government-mandated safety measures.

  • Get vaccinated if you haven’t yet.
  • Maintain physical distancing,
  • Limit your travel outside as much as possible and avoid crowding at all costs.
  • Wear an N95 mask when stepping out or meeting any outsider
  • Follow hand hygiene and respiratory etiquettes
  • Avoid poorly ventilated places

Do not ignore any signs of illness (fever, weakness, sore throat) and consult your doctor immediately.

Omicron Situation in India – Total Cases and Measures taken

Around the world, the Omicron cases are rising rapidly and likewise in India, we detect that it is spreading across the states at a high rate.

There is no news so far about any deaths or critical illnesses associated with the Omicron variant in India. But this is too early to establish any conclusion and we must follow all safety precautions to minimize the spread of COVID infection.

Who’s at Risk?

Most people who are much prone to risk are the Unvaccinated, Elderly, Immunosuppressed people, Cancer affected and post-transplant patients.

As per WHO statements earlier, people who were infected previously might have a higher risk of getting the Omicron variant. But, this data may change as more studies are carried out over the next few weeks.

People with other comorbidities like Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Cardiac Related Issues, Lung Related Issues, and weaker immunity may be at a higher risk.

Omicron Vs Delta, Beta, and Other Variants

  • Omicron has several mutations as compared to previous variants. However, mutations do bring huge changes like the virus – either it can make it stronger or weaker
  • As we have been getting better at detecting variants that could pose a threat, Omicron was discovered relatively early on a global scale. This early detection means that we still have more research to do. Right now there just isn’t much information available.
  • As per the initial reports, the WHO states that the Omicron variant may have a higher risk of re-infecting people who already had COVID-19 when compared with other variants. Again, this is only preliminary information.
  • The transmission rates of the Omicron variant are likely more than the others.
  • We do know that till now most RT-PCR tests are still able to detect the Omicron variant. Since the test still detects the virus, WHO suggests that this can be used to detect Omicron quicker. The variant type can be affirmed only after genome sequencing.

Vaccination against OMICRON

Covishield

Serum institute mentions that the study is underway at the moment. The Effectiveness of Covishield with OMICRON will be studied and unveiled in the next 2-3 weeks.

Covaxin

Experts suggest that Covaxin could be highly effective against the OMICRON variant. No Scientific evidence yet.

Sputnik

Sputnik V and Sputnik Light will be effective at neutralizing the OMICRON Variant. They have already begun developing the new version of Sputnik Vaccine adapted to OMICRON