Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has created panic among the people across the world: What should we do right now?

Abstract

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has created panic among the people across the world: What should we do right now? South Africa reported the heavily mutated coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 on November 24, 2021. The first confirmed COVID-19 of the B.1.1.529 variant was found in a sample collected on November 9, 2021. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated this variant as Variant of Concern (VOC) and named as "Omicron." It is the fifth VOC after Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. 1 The Omicron variant has been mutated 50 times and obtained more than 30 variations to the spike protein. 2-4 Most viruses use this spike protein to enter the body's cells, and most vaccines are made to target the spike protein.According to researchers, this new variant Omicron has a "very unusual constellation of mutations." Human antibodies produced by the immune system targets mainly the spike protein to fight a coronavirus infection. Therefore, WHO described Omicron as a "worrying type" of coronavirus due to its heavy mutation and changes in spike protein. 1 Besides, WHO said that we need more time to con-1

South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout amid the emergence of Omicron

“…The adverse effects of this unprecedented global health crisis are exacerbated by the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in different parts of the world. The recent South Africa discovery of the B.1.1.529 variant, now classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization and termed as 'Omicron', hinders the country's efforts to speed up the vaccination program 2 . Omicron has spread to more than 60 countries and is becoming the dominant variant globally.…”

New Coronavirus Variants are Creating More Challenges to Global Healthcare System: A Brief Report on the Current Knowledge

“…Along with the vaccination programs, avoidance of public gatherings, the unveiling of new genomes, and monitoring of abnormalities should be continued. 42 …”

Is SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant causing different symptoms?

“…Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, is undergoing a progressive evolution characterized by accumulation of several nonsynonymous mutations in its genome, garnered for better adaptation to its human host (1). The most recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 variant called Omicron (B.1.1.529) is raising considerable concern due to the presence of a large number of mutations (more than 30) in the spike protein, which may have substantial impact on infectivity, virulence and pathogenicity of the virus (2). Preliminary evidence suggests that the new Omicron variant may cause different symptoms and trigger outbreaks associated with less severe illness compared to outbreaks with previous strains (3), with a predominance of milder clinical manifestations such as rhinorrhoea, sneezing, sore throat, headache and fatigue (4).…”