[Update: December 9th, 2021]: The moment the Omicron variant of COVID-19 emerged, it rendered us afraid because everything became uncertain all over again. Researchers were not sure of the severity and whether vaccines would be effective against it or not. However, now that some time has passed with researchers doing the work, it turns out that Pfizer may just be effective although that would be after one is administered three doses of it.
Because of this, Omicron stands a bit more different than the other strands/variants because up until then, only two doses of vaccine would be enough to lessen the severity of the virus should a person contract it.
Breaking News: Pfizer-BioNTech’s booster dose of their Covid vaccine offers significant protection against the Omicron variant, the companies said.https://t.co/HyLwyHwm4W
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 8, 2021
Of course, if you are already vaccinated with your standard two doses, one booster shot of Pfizer should do the trick. Since the first signs of Omicron have already appeared in Pakistan, it is imperative that we all get the shot once again.
[November 29th, 2021]: When an illness first infects an individual and is not contained, it is like opening Pandora’s box. The situation with COVID-19 is more or less the same. Since it got unleashed in 2019, there have been numerous variants of it including the scary South African and Delta variants. However, soon people got used to it in hopes that the vaccine will rid them of the pandemic. Unfortunate for their wishful thinking, the world now faces Omicron.
Read More: UK Becomes First Country To Approve Antiviral Drug To Treat COVID
Transmissibility
The variant is different from the usual COVID pandemic. Hence, studies are still underway to understand the extent of the transmissibility of the disease. Considering the positivity rate in South Africa is increasing, the researchers are trying to see whether it’s due to Omicron or some other factor.
Severity
WHO doesn’t know much about Omicron at this stage either. They are grappling with understanding the virus amid already high cases in South Africa. The influx of cases is making it difficult to figure out whether the data obtained is due to the Omicron variant or an already high positivity rate.
What we know is that the initial reports came from university students. Young adults already have a stronger immune system hence, it will be some time to fully grasp the severity of the variant.
What you need to know
Increased risk of re-infection
According to the preliminary studies, the ones who have had covid 19 in the past (no matter what variant), have a higher probability of being re-infected with Omicron. That said, those who have not been infected yet, shouldn’t roam around free either because the data is limited on the variant.
Vaccines on Omicron
The Delta variant was until now the most severe variant and vaccines were effective in reducing the extent of symptoms and the probability of death. Researchers, however, are still not sure how effective the vaccine is on Omicron. This is why WHO is in talks with its technical partners for that very purpose.
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Testing COVID-19
The current PCR tests to detect COVID 19 are effective for Omicron as well. The verdict is still out for the rapid antigen detection test.
Current treatments
For severe COVID-19 patients, the treatment plan still includes Corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers. Treatment plans used for other COVID-19 variants are still being researched upon.
Seeing as WHO is still more or less blind with regard to the variant, countries have begun issuing travel bans all over again to restrict the spread. Should you be worried then? Yes, most definitely. And using that worry, we should ensure that we and our loved ones take all the precautionary measures against COVID-19.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates!