With so much information and concern spreading about the current Omicron variant and COVID-19 surge, it can be difficult to get to the most crucial information, and sometimes it just seems overwhelming. Below, is a brief FAQ-style list of facts to quickly provide some information about the currently spreading Omicron variant.
Interactive data table depicting the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the US. View live data here.
Where and when was it first detected?
The Omicron variant (aka B.1.1.529) was first detected in Botswana on November 11, 2021 and in South Africa on November 14. It was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24 by experts who discovered it after noticing an increase in COVID-19 cases. It has since spread to multiple countries and is now the dominant variant in the US.
The graph above from the CDC shows the Omicron variant (purple) and its relation to the Delta variant (orange)
How do viruses mutate?
Viruses are not living organisms, but are genetic codes (in the case of coronaviruses, RNA) encased in protein. They inject their genetic code into our cells and trick them into helping them duplicate. When viruses replicate, they have to make copies of their RNA. Often, errors are made when the RNA is copied, which leads to new mutations of the virus with unique genetic code. These mutations are called ‘strains’ or ‘variants’ of a virus. Although variants of the same virus may behave (how easily it can infect cells, how fast it spreads, etc.) differently than others, they do not mutate intentionally, per se, to become more virulent or resistant to vaccines (bacteria, on the other hand, evolve to ensure their survival).
Since viruses mutate more and more as they spread, limiting transmission is key to ensuring we do not end up with variants that are so mutated that they render current vaccines ineffective. The scientists in South Africa were alarmed when they discovered that Omicron had more than 30 changes in its spike protein compared to the original strain of the virus. Check out more about how viruses mutate here.
This image from the CDC depicts regional variations in the proportion of Delta (orange) to Omicron (purple) infections in the US.
What is the difference between the Omicron and Delta variants?
The Delta variant (aka B.1.617.2) was first detected in India in December 2020. It led to surges in COVID-19 infections in mid-April, and became the dominant strain in the US by June 2021. Delta is now found in 178 countries, including the US, UK, and Europe. According to WebMD, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 88% effective against the Delta variant 2 weeks after the second dose. Delta is 50% more transmissible than earlier variants because of changes in its spike protein. The spike protein is the part of the virus that mRNA vaccines and your immune system target to fight the virus; you can read more about mRNA vaccines here. For unvaccinated people, research suggests that the Delta variant can cause more severe illness than the original strain.
Like Omicron, Delta is classified as a ‘variant of concern’ (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The VOC label means that the variant might have a higher transmissibility, cause more intense disease, and may be less likely to respond to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. VOCs are actively monitored and tested to collect more data about how they behave.
In an update on December 14th, the WHO reported that “Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant.” Although data on the Omicron variant is still minimal at this point, people infected with Omicron may be at a higher risk for reinfection, as noted by WebMD. It is still unclear whether or not Omicron causes more severe illness than other strains, though it appears to cause mild illness slightly less severe than the Delta variant. The Delta and Omicron variants can both be detected by PCR tests and vaccines can protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and death, even though the spike protein mutations lessen the efficacy of the vaccine. Like with the Delta variant, breakthrough infections (when a vaccinated person gets sick) are possible and likely.
It is important to note that besides Delta and Omicron there are many other known variants of COVID-19 (including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, which are labeled as ‘variants of concern’), but they are not as prevalent in the US.
What is St. Margaret’s doing?
In a recent email, St. Margaret’s Headmaster Will Moseley informed the community that the school will be testing all faculty, staff, and students in the coming week (January 3-7) for COVID-19 to minimize the spread of the virus. With everyone returning from traveling and family gatherings, it is important that we wear CDC-approved masks, continue following social distancing guidelines, and possibly get booster shots. Stay safe Tartans!
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