Omicron: What we know and don't know about the new Covid-19 variant

South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus that they say is behind a recent spike in Covid19 infections in Gauteng the countrys most populous provinceIts unclear where the new variant first emerged but scientists in South Africa alerted the World Health Organization in recent days and it has now been seen in travelers arriving in several countries from Australia to Israel to the NetherlandsOn Friday the WHO designated it as a variant of concern naming it omicron after a letter in the Greek alphabetWhat do we know about omicronHealth Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an exponential rise of cases in the last few days From just over 200 new confirmed cases per day in recent weeks South Africa saw the number of new daily cases rocket to more than 3200 Saturday most in Gauteng Struggling to explain the sudden rise in cases scientists studied virus samples and discovered the new variant Now as many as 90 per cent of the new cases in Gauteng are caused by it according to Tulio de Oliveira director of the KwaZuluNatal Research Innovation and Sequencing PlatformWhy are scientists worried about this new variantAfter convening a group of experts to assess the data the WHO said that preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant as compared to other variants That means people who contracted Covid19 and recovered could be subject to catching it againThe variant appears to have a high number of mutations about 30 in the coronavirus spike protein which could affect how easily it spreads to people Sharon Peacock who has led genetic sequencing of Covid19 in Britain at the University of Cambridge said the data so far suggest the new variant has mutations consistent with enhanced transmissibility but said that the significance of many of the mutations is still not knownLawrence Young a virologist at the University of Warwick described omicron as the most heavily mutated version of the virus we have seen including potentially worrying changes never before seen all in the same virusWhats known and not known about the variantScientists know that omicron is genetically distinct from previous variants including the beta and delta variants but do not know if these genetic changes make it any more transmissible or dangerous So far there is no indication the variant causes more severe diseaseIt will likely take weeks to sort out if omicron is more infectious and if vaccines are still effective against it Peter Openshaw a professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London said it was extremely unlikely that current vaccines wouldnt work noting they are effective against numerous other variantsEven though some of the genetic changes in omicron appear worrying its still unclear if they will pose a public health threat Some previous variants like the beta variant initially alarmed scientists but didnt end up spreading very farWe dont know if this new variant could get a toehold in regions where delta is said Peacock of the University of Cambridge The jury is out on how well this variant will do where there are other variants circulating To date delta is by far the most predominant form of Covid19 accounting for more than 99 per cent of sequences submitted to the worlds biggest public databaseHow did this new variant ariseThe coronavirus mutates as it spreads and many new variants including those with worrying genetic changes often just die out Scientists monitor Covid19 sequences for mutations that could make the disease more transmissible or deadly but they cannot determine that simply by looking at the virusPeacock said the variant may have evolved in someone who was infected but could then not clear the virus giving the virus the chance to genetically evolve in a scenario similar to how experts think the alpha variant which was first identified in England also emerged by mutating in an immunecompromised personAre the travel restrictions being imposed by some countries justifiedMaybe Israel is banning foreigners from entering the country and Morocco has stopped all incoming international air travel Dr Matshidiso Moeti WHOs regional director for Africa commended South Africa and Botswana for quickly informing the world about the new variant With the omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity Moeti said Covid19 constantly exploits our divisions We will only get the better of the virus if we work together for solutionsAlso Read Omicron fear prompts strict action against Mumbairsquos masklessThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever