The Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 Variant

Abstract

It has been two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 197 countries around the world, bringing the total population to 284,871,633. It has infected and caused 5,438,175 deaths. Bodies In Thailand, the COVID-19 Delta variant was heavily affected from April to September, so the outbreak was under control and the country reopened in November 2021. The cumulative number of infections up to December 30, 2021  was 2,191,461.   21,672  people died. There are fewer than 3000  new cases per day. Thailand's effective control and prevention of COVID-19 has earned praise from the World Health Organization. Make Thai people proud of the whole nation.

The COVID-19  virus is mutating all the time. November 24, 2021  The World Health Organization has received reports of the discovery of a mutated virus. Line B.1.1.529 is the first from a sample collected on  November 9, 2021 from Gauteng, South Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has chosen the Greek alphabet to name the mutated COVID-19 virus for the four Variants of concern (VOC): Elfa, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and eight Variant of interest (VOI): Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Thita, Lota, Kappa, Lamda and Mu.

The successors to Mu are Nu and Xi, and WHO officials are of the opinion that Nu can be easily confused with New, while Xi is pronounced like a Chinese surname, such as Chinese leader Xi Jinping, to avoid possible consequences. On  November 26, 2021 The World Health Organization decided to use the next letter, Omicron, and name  a new mutant strain of the COVID-19 virus. B.1.1.529 found in Africa as "Omicron"  and classified as a mutant strain of concern. Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern) is at high risk of causing new outbreaks because Omicron is a mutant virus that has multiple mutations and spreads divergently on the genetic line.

The Omicron mutant virus is similar to the Delta mutant variant that has seen a lot of mutations. This makes it worrying about the strain's ability to spread, as well as its severity and impact on countermeasures. Both therapeutic and preventive vaccinations.

COVID-19 virus mutates line B 1.1.529 Omicron It can spread quickly and will become the dominant strain. (dominant strain) that causes the outbreak. The number of people infected with Omicron doubles every  two days. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Omicron spreads faster than other mutated viruses.

The number of people infected with the Omicron mutant COVID-19 virus in African countries increased from 260 to 19,400 in one week from November 9, 2021.  Thailand is the 47th  country to experience the Omicron mutant as  of December 30, 2021, with 740 cumulative cases.

The Omicron mutant virus is of high concern as it detects more mutant locations.   Of these, 30 mutations occur on spike proteins, where the body's immunity triggered by vaccination is taught to deal with the COVID-19 virus.  Multi-location changes in the genetic code pose the possibility of a new outbreak from the Omicron mutant virus in previously vaccinated populations. Pfizer and Moderna mRNAs. The level of immunity in the population 4 months after being fully vaccinated. Two doses were reduced by about 40 percent, which showed a significant decrease in antibodies' ability to neutralize the Omicron variant. Preliminary studies conducted in laboratories and in sample populations with a third booster dose showed that it could boost immunity to a higher dose (25 times). The amount of immunity is high enough to help prevent new outbreaks and severe infections from the Omicron mutant virus.

The spread of the Omicron variant in South Africa is faster than other mutated viruses. But the severity of infection is less. This could be because more than 70 percent of the population has had COVID-19 or received an immunization booster vaccine. Therefore, the body has some immunity. The Omicron mutant virus is endemic among young, physically healthy patients. Tony Cunningham said the death rate from Omicron after hospitalization was 3 percent compared to the Delta variant by 20 percent.

Symptoms and severity of COVID-19 infection Omicron variant

1. rarely has a fever.
2. Feeling weak and tired easily
3. No loss of smell, taste
4. Pneumonia
5. It spreads more than twice as quickly as other strains and has a higher risk of reinfection.

Symptoms and severity of COVID-19 infection Delta variant

1. Headache, fever
2. Runny nose, sore throat
3. Symptoms resemble a common cold.
4. 4. No loss of smell Taste buds
5. Spreads quickly.

Even if COVID-19 infection The Omicron variant is less infectious than the Delta variant, but if the outbreak causes a large number of infections, it may exceed the capacity of the public health system. We all need to help reduce the epidemic. Reducing the spread of the virus is important. We all still need to be strict with the most advanced COVID prevention measures. Wear a mask correctly. Wash your hands frequently, practice social distancing of more than 1 meter, and get vaccinated against COVID. Get a third booster shot, although not all vaccines prevent infection. But it can reduce death and serious illness.

“Omicron is more spreadable and more able to evade infection immunity but less virulent”