New COVID variant OMICRON

What we know so far:

Nearly a week has passed since scientists in South Africa and Botswana have told us they found a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, now known as Omicron. Researchers are trying their best to understand the new variant characteristics, that have already been confirmed in 20 countries.

The fact that the variant is rising so quickly in South Africa and other Countries might mean that it’s more transmissible and could escape immunity by previous infection and vaccines, however this doesn’t mean that the previous infection and vaccine will not give any protection at all.

Up to know the data from the world surveillance has told us that the Omicron variant causes mild sickness, but it will need some weeks to know the real impact of this new variant.

There is a lot of effort by scientists now to collect data as fast as possible, and the good news is that there is a PCR test able to distinguish the Omicron variant from the Delta variant. They are also working to adapt the vaccines.

This is all we know up to now, and only time will tell what this variant does. The safety guidelines remain the same to avoid further cases. The use of the mask, social distancing, hand hygiene, ventilation and vaccination, including the 3rd dose, are all important in keeping the Covid-19 cases controlled.