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The discovery of a brand new COVID-19 variant in South Africa this week precipitated alarm and swift motion from numerous international locations together with journey restrictions. Here’s what you need to know about Omicron.

How was this variant discovered?

Scientists checked out virus samples and found the new variant after South African circumstances started to explode this week after holding at about 200 a day. Cases neared 2,500 on Thursday.

President Joe Biden introduced journey restrictions to South Africa and a number of other international locations beginning on Nov. 29 in response to the Omicron variant.REUTERS/Frank PolichWhy is it named Omicron?

The World Health Organization gave it that designation after a letter in the Greek alphabet. The WHO additionally labeled it a variant of concern, the just one to get that designation since Delta emerged in India in late 2020.

The World Health Organization dubbed the new COVID-19 variant as Omicron, skipping over Nu and Xi.REUTERSWhy is Omicron a trigger for concern?

The seemingly excessive variety of mutations — about 30 — in the coronavirus’ spike protein may imply it spreads simply. That is about double the variety of mutations of the Delta variant, and will imply elevated transmissibility. But the significance of the mutations “is still not known,” in accordance to Sharon Peacock, who has led genetic sequencing of COVID-19 in Britain.

The World Health Organization labeled the new COVID-19 Omicron variant a variant of concern.REUTERSThe new COVID-19 Omicron variant has about 30 mutations in its spike protein.China News Service by way of Getty ImaDoes the Omicron variant make you sicker?

There’s no indication that the variant will trigger a extra extreme sickness. WHO stated there was “preliminary evidence” to recommend an elevated danger of reinfection with Omicron for individuals who have already had the virus as in contrast to different variants. No uncommon signs have been reported with this variant, which may additionally led to asymptomatic circumstances, in accordance to South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

A healthcare employee conducts COVID-19 checks for passengers at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa on Nov. 27, 2021.AFP by way of Getty ImagesWill present COVID-19 vaccines work towards the variant?

Scientists say it’s too quickly to inform and that reply will take a couple of weeks. One knowledgeable, Peter Openshaw, a professor of experimental drugs at Imperial College London, referred to as it “extremely unlikely” that present vaccines wouldn’t work, noting they’re efficient towards quite a few different variants.

A passenger is examined for coronavirus at O.R Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni, South Africa final yr.AFP by way of Getty Images

With Post wires



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