New covid strain OMICRON

1. COVID NEW Strain-
Omicron
MR. NAVEEN PAREEK
H.O.D. COMMUNITY (R.C.N.]

2. What Is Omicron:-
• B.1.1.529, the new strain, which has a number of
mutations seen in the variants such as the Delta,
could be spreading quickly across the country, adding
to the urgency to track its spread. The World Health
Organization (WHO) has named it Omicron has
designated.
• It had a large number of mutations, and early
evidence suggested an increased reinfection risk, the
WHO said.

3. When It was first reported and where?
• First identified in Botswana, the strain has been
found in travellers to Hong Kong from South
Africa and labeled B.1.1.529.
• It was first reported to the WHO from South
Africa on 24 November, and has also been
identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and
Israel.

4. What are the mutations?
• Genome sequencing of the B.1.1.529 variant first raised concern
after researchers found over 30 changes to the spike protein.
• Reports said that due to the sheer number of mutations, this
variant is most radically different to the one that emerged in
Wuhan, China in late 2019, triggering the pandemic.
• the variant showed a total 50 mutations, of which 30 were protein
spike mutations.
• Further, the receptor-binding domain (which allows the virus to
make first contact with host body cells) has 10 mutations,
compared to two seen in the Delta variant.
• there are hints that mutations could contribute to the virus’
evasion of vaccine and antibodies, even from T cells, which play a
vital role in providing immunity. Her team had also provided some
of the first data on the Beta variant’s ability to dodge immunity.
Her team hopes to have its first results on Omicron (B.1.1.529) in
two weeks.

5. How we can diagnose it?
• Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect
this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one
widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is
not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target
failure) and this test can therefore be used as marker
for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation.
Using this approach, this variant has been detected at
faster rates than previous surges in infection.

6. The first "image" of the new strain :-

7. What are the risks associated with omicron variant?
.The omicron variant appears to have a high number of
mutations — about 30 — in the coronavirus’ spike protein, which
could affect how easily it spreads to people.
• The WHO, said that “preliminary evidence suggests an
increased risk of reinfection with this variant,” as compared to
other variants. “The number of cases of this variant appears
to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa,” the
health body said.

8. What can countries and individuals do?
• enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating
SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly
available database, such as GISAID.
• report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the IHR
mechanism.
• where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community,
perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding
of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 .
• Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19,
including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting
masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces,
avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.

9. What are the symptoms of omicron variant?
• South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases
(NICD) has said that “currently no unusual symptoms have
been reported following infection with the B.1.1.529 variant.”
• NICD also said that as with other infectious variants such as
Delta, some of those infected with the omicron variant of the
coronavirus are asymptomatic.

10. India response
• Official sources told ANI on November 26 that no case of
COVID -19 variant B.1.1.529 has been reported in India so far.
• The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia INSACOG is closely
tracking the new variant of COVID-19 called B.1.1.529 and its
presence has not been detected yet in the country, officials
have said.

11. the five measures announced by government Of INDIA in view
of Omicron:
• All international passengers entering India have to submit 14-days travel
details and upload a negative RT-PCR test report on the Air Suvidha portal
before the journey.
• Travellers from countries in the ‘at-risk' category will have to take the
post-arrival Covid test and wait for results at the airport. They have to go
through a seven-day home quarantine if tested negative for the virus and
take up a re-test on the eighth day. If tested negative, they have to further
self-monitor for the next seven days.
• Travellers from countries excluding the 'at risk' category will be allowed to
leave the airport and require self-monitoring health for 14 days' post-
arrival. Five per cent of total flight passengers will undergo post-arrival
testing at random at the airport.
• Genomic surveillance for variants is to be further strengthened and
intensified.
• Airport Health Officials (APHOs) and Port Health Officials (PHOs) will be
sensitized for strict supervision of testing protocol at airports and ports
respectively.

12. India releases list of ‘at risk’ nations
• The nations that are currently on the ‘at-risk’ list of India are –
European countries, including the UK, South Africa, Brazil,
Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand,
Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

13. How India plans to track the virus?
• The Indian government has also asked states to take caution
and accelerate the testing process of international
passengers, especially those travelling from African countries.
• to strict implementation of the Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate
measures.
• The Health Secretary said that all the international travellers
travelling from and transiting through these countries are
subject to "rigorous screening and testing", as per the health
ministry's guidelines.

14. OUR DUTY
• Protect yourself and those around you:
• Get vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn and follow local guidance
on vaccination.
• Keep physical distance of at least 1 meter from others, even if they
don’t appear to be sick. Avoid crowds and close contact.
• Wear a properly fitted mask when physical distancing is not
possible and in poorly ventilated settings.
• Clean your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap
and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when you
cough or sneeze. Dispose of used tissues immediately and clean
hands regularly.
• If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, self-isolate
until you recover.