The Nature of the Omicron Variant
SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19, is a new type of virus under the family of viruses called Coronavirus. Hence giving it the name Novel (or new) COVID-19. Yes, Coronaviruses exist before the discovery of COVID 19. They are a family or a group of viruses that give symptoms such as colds and flu. Before we discuss the new discovered variant, let me explain how these viruses evolve or become a variant. Viruses, generally speaking, have a genetic strand of RNA. It is similar to DNA but not entirely the same. The way the virus replicates and propagate is by attaching itself to a viable cell that will eventually be infected. Upon attachment of the virus to a cell, it will use the genetic material of their target cell by injecting their RNA. A replication will then happen and a new copy of the virus is created. Sometimes, when viruses replicate, there is a chance that it is not the exact copy of that virus. Hence, a mutation happens. To put it in simpler terms, a factory that creates ...