Covid: How dangerous is the new Omicron Variant?

Covid-19, Omicron Variant and where do we stand?

Since the Covid-19 pandemic started in the winter of 2019, it left the whole world at its wit’s end trying to figure out the best way to deal with this threat, not just to our health, physical and mental well-being, but to our economic wellbeing as well. So, is it safe to say that we may have come a long way from a time of uncertainty and helplessness?

We have made a lot of headway on many different levels. From dismissing the whole thing as a figment of imagination to losing loved ones, from being locked up inside our homes to learning to step out into the open with precautions, from wondering if we will ever be able to identify a way to stop the menace to vaccinating billions of people across the globe, it is safe to say we have made progress.

While the healthcare workers and researchers are still relentlessly working to keep us safe, the SARS Co-V2 virus has been very busy as well. It is in the nature of the virus to survive, just as it is with every living being. The SARS – CoV2 virus is nothing but an organism that has all its genetic information stored on a single strand known as RNA. There are other types of viruses that have their genetic information in the form of DNA which is a double strand. With one of the sole purposes of all organisms being to reproduce and multiply, so is the case with the virus which does so by making millions of copies of itself, and to do so it requires a host, which in turn are nothing but the millions of cells within our bodies.

How did this Omicron variant come into being?

In the process of multiplication and making copies of itself, the genetic information undergoes changes and these changes are referred to as mutations. It is of interest to note, that in the world of viruses, the RNA viruses undergo mutations at a faster rate, and the number of mutations that can occur is also many a time greater when compared to DNA viruses. When a mutation occurs the core genetic information remains the same, but some additional characteristics may be added, while some may be lost. This is a process of evolution, which helps the virus to adapt to the hostile environment that is filled with antibodies, white blood cells, and all possible defense systems of the host that are focused on preventing its survival.

Mutations can make a virus more infective and dangerous or less potent and harmless, and it is really hard to predict what can happen unless extensive research is done. When the SARS Co-V2 was first discovered, it was called the Alpha (B.1.1.7) strain or variant, then came the Beta variant (B.1.351), Gamma variant (P.51), the Delta (B.1.617.2), and the Delta plus variants, Mu variant (B.1.621), etc. All of these variants are slightly different from the original SARS Co-V2, in that there are some changes mainly in the spike proteins that the virus uses to infect and gain entry into the host cells. It is also these spike proteins that are targeted by the vaccines to disable host access to the virus.

The latest variant of interest and concern is called the Omicron variant or B.1.1.529. It was first discovered in Botswana in the second week of November 2021 and reported by South African researchers to the WHO, which declared it as a variant of concern. The WHO did so because the new variant was seen to be causing a sudden rise in the number of cases in the countries where it was discovered and spread to.

So what is the Omicron variant and should we be concerned?

As research is underway on the new variant, here is what we know so far about this renewed threat of Covid-19. As mentioned previously, the spike proteins of the virus are a key element in how effectively the virus can infect the host cells, and it is also important in affecting the immunity from the vaccines we have received, and how they can protect us from severe disease.

The Omicron variant has the greatest number of mutations on its spike proteins, much higher than seen in the other variants, in fact, the highest so far. Scientists say that other than the number of mutations, the new variant is similar to the Alpha variant rather than the deadly Delta variant that is currently terrorizing the world.

So will the new variant be more infective?

Yes, the new variant may be much more infective and transmissible when compared to the other variants, although it will take some more time to be sure about this. The mutations seen in the spike proteins are similar to the ones seen in the Gamma, Beta, and the Lambda variants which helped these variants spread faster than before due to a more efficient ability to bind to host cell receptors, as well as the ability to dodge the internal immunity of the host cell. What this means is that the virus is more capable than before to spread between people, thereby infecting more people in a shorter time.

Will the new variant cause a more severe disease?

While nothing can be said with certainty at this point, the mutations in the spike proteins of the Omicron variant indicate that multiple mutations will assist the virus in successfully eliminating the threat from the antibodies produced by our immune system as well as the monoclonal antibody cocktails that are being as a part of treatment. Some preliminary research by scientists has shown that individuals who were vaccinated only developed a mild form of the disease, while some exceptions to this have also been seen.

Are the symptoms of the new variant different from the previous COVID-19?

The symptoms of infection with the Omicron variant are more or less similar to the previous COVID-19 disease. Some key symptoms that have been observed are that the virus does not affect the lungs as much as some previous variants, and it is more likely to remain in the upper respiratory tract. Other symptoms that are prominent include headache, severe body aches, extreme weakness, fever, scratch throat with a cough that is more likely to be dry, and a runny nose. These symptoms are similar to the flu, but it is important to note that although causing mild to moderate disease, the omicron variant can still cause severe disease that requires hospitalization in some individuals, especially those over the age of 60 years, or those with comorbidities such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, immunocompromised status, etc. The presence and multiplication of the virus in the upper respiratory tract is one of the reasons for the increased transmissibility and infectious nature of the omicron variant.

Does omicron cause severe disease in children?

Due to the increased transmissibility and infectivity of the omicron variant, it is being observed that children are also being infected by it, but there is no evidence to show that it causes severe disease in children. The symptoms are usually mild and quite similar to those seen in adults including fever, chills, weakness, cough, and cold. However, some children who are immunocompromised or those with comorbidities may develop moderate to severe disease. It is therefore important to ensure that they stay safe and protected, and are not exposed to the virus just like the rest of us.

So how do we deal with this new threat?

The best way to deal with both old and new variants is to ensure that vaccinations, including boosters when recommended, are taken without fail. It is important to note that vaccination does not prevent infection, but vaccination is essential for the prevention of severe disease, as it has been documented that most people who developed severe disease with the omicron variant are those who were unvaccinated. This holds true for all the variants of SARS-CoV2, whether alpha, beta, delta, or even omicron. More importantly, it is even more essential that we do not slack in our efforts in protecting ourselves and everyone around us by following the precautionary protocols that were laid out at the very beginning.

Is a booster dose of the vaccine necessary?

Research and all initial studies done so far conclude that booster shots of the vaccine are imperative for all those at a higher risk of developing severe disease. A booster shot is advisable if 6 months or more have passed since the receipt of the second dose of two-dose vaccines, or otherwise. It is the nature of antibodies to reduce overtime after vaccination and the main purpose of a booster shot of a vaccine is to increase the availability of the antibodies. It has been observed that when booster shots of certain vaccines such as mRNA vaccines are given, they increase the antibody count by about 7-10 times. This higher antibody count helps in the prevention of severe diseases including those caused by the omicron variant. In the future, as more variants of the virus are bound to present themselves, vaccines will also be tweaked to combat these new strains. We may therefore need regular booster shots to help keep ourselves protected, as has been seen with other viral infections such as Influenza.

Wear a protective mask, best avoid crowds and public places, maintain strict social distancing, regularly wash your hands, or sanitize them.