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 multiple identical products tends to have a flaw that is not the same as its supposed standard product. This is when a variant is created. Mutations are somewhat similar to evolution because it deviates from its usual process. It is also their way of adapting to their environment in order to survive like having a melanin in our skin to protect us from UV rays of the sun. So when there is a mistake in replicating a virus, its genetic components are also different. This is actually alarming if a virus obtained a mutation and eventually evolves into a stronger variant. It means that it is already adapting to the changes happening outside its environment. Since its genetic components changed, so is their effect. It may be a small difference that it doesn’t have or little effect to their host but it can cause additional clinical manifestations or increase in infectivity or both.  We must also take note that regardless of having a different variant, it doesn’t mean that its predecessor is gone. It is there and is existing somewhere.

The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19). They are an independent group of experts that, aside from monitoring and evaluating COVID-19, assess specific mutations and combinations of these mutations that can alter the behavior of COVID-19. The independent group, TAG-VE, convened on November 26^th to assess the new variant, B.1.1.529. The new variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on November 24, 2021. The epidemiological situation was reported to have three distinct peaks in the said reported cases. The latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. A few weeks after the report, infections have increased abruptly coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The very first confirmed B.1.1.529 case was from a specimen collected on November 9 of 2021.

The B.1.1.529 variant has a large number of mutations and some mutations are quite concerning. The initial evidence of this new variant suggests an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants. The number of reported cases with this new variant was noted to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current diagnostics and lab detection suggests that this variant may have a growth advantage compared to its previous variants. Based on all the evidence presented in epidemiology, the B.1.1.529 variant has been named as Omicron variant by the WHO.

The Omicron variant is reported to be more contagious as it did in the U.S and will likely to become the predominant variant in most places. Very early case reports from South Africa states a steep increase in cases from 300 a day to 3000 a day over a two-week period. The severity of Omicron variant is not yet clear. People in South Africa were reported to have mild symptoms and most of these cases were in young people. It is not yet clear if the efficacy of the current vaccines will work on Omicron and the first person in the U.S. to be infected with Omicron is reported to be fully vaccinated. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is early evidence that vaccinated people who are infected with Omicron will be able to spread it to others. Some preliminary laboratory data shows that antibodies generate from vaccines are less effective at neutralizing Omicron but booster shots help to restore some of that loss. With the current data that we have, it is expected that the efficacy of vaccines against Omicron infections will decrease but not completely. The effectiveness of our vaccines can still work against severe disease. Currently, the WHO and many pharmaceutical companies are working on Omicron-specific vaccines.

Regardless of our immunity even if we are fully vaccinated, we must still practice the guidelines that the WHO and DOH gave to us. Stay safe and avoid crowded areas.