Myths and facts about the Omicron viral variant

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The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, was first reported by South African scientists on Nov 24 (2021) and labeled as a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Nov 28 (2021).

Within about a month, Omicron grew to become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 viral variant in North America and Europe, pushing the Delta variant apart.

It is more and more being reported in Asia and is on its approach to changing into the dominant variant in the Asia-Pacific area.

This is no surprise as its doubling time (the period of time it takes to double the variety of infections) is 1.5 to a few days, in contrast with six to eight days for the Delta variant.

Several Asia-Pacific nations, e.g. Singapore, Australia and Japan, have reported growing numbers of Omicron circumstances.

Although there’s growing data about Omicron, there are additionally quite a few data gaps.

This, along with selective snippets of educational discussions, has led to assumptions, speculations, misinformation, and in some cases, disinformation in social media, and generally, the mainstream media.

The result’s confusion and issue in decision-making for people, and even authorities.

This column makes an attempt to make clear the facts surrounding a few of the frequent myths that the author has encountered in interactions with sufferers, colleagues and pals.

Myth 1: Omicron causes delicate illness solely.

Fact: Omicron seems to be much less extreme than Delta, but it surely shouldn’t be thought-about as delicate.

Some nations have reported that the severity of Omicron circumstances have been decrease than these contaminated with the Delta variant.

However, most of those nations have excessive vaccination charges – their comparatively decrease fee of hospitalisations and deaths had been attributable to vaccination, notably of susceptible teams.

Hospitalisations and deaths have affected the unvaccinated in these nations disproportionately.

Therefore, it’s untimely to make a judgment on Omicron’s severity.

Myth 2: Omicron is rather like a typical chilly.

Fact: Omicron is way more harmful than the frequent chilly.

The frequent chilly often resolves in just a few days, with problems being uncommon.

On the different hand, Covid-19 brought on by the Omicron variant is extra seemingly than the chilly to result in hospitalisation, and even dying.

It is anticipated that those that have recovered from an Omicron an infection are susceptible to growing lengthy Covid, i.e. long-term well being penalties, which isn’t so with the frequent chilly.

Myth 3: Previous Covid-19 an infection offers immunity from Omicron.

Fact: Omicron can reinfect those that have beforehand already had Covid-19.

Reports of suggestions to get Covid-19 intentionally to get immunity to the an infection usually are not solely scientifically flawed, but additionally irresponsible.

Anyone who has had a earlier Covid-19 an infection can get reinfected with the Omicron variant with the concomitant danger of extreme illness, unfold of the an infection or improvement of lengthy Covid.

Getting totally vaccinated is the finest approach to shield one’s self and others from extreme illness and lengthy Covid.

Myth 4: Omicron doesn’t trigger extreme illness in the unvaccinated.

Fact: The unvaccinated are most in danger from Omicron.Omicron is searching for the unvaccinated.

The sheer quantity of Covid-19 circumstances is main to large numbers of hospitalisations in nations the place Omicron is changing into the dominant variant.Having had Covid-19 before is no protection against getting infected with the Omicorn viral variant. — AFPHaving had Covid-19 earlier than is not any safety in opposition to getting contaminated with the Omicorn viral variant. — AFP

And the overwhelming majority of these needing hospitalisation are the unvaccinated.

Omicron has unfold at an unprecedented velocity, particularly the place measures to interrupt its unfold are non-existent or there’s poor compliance to such measures.

Just like the Delta variant, Omicron will have an effect on the unvaccinated the most.

In an analysis of 20,823 reported Covid-19 deaths in Malaysia from Feb 24 to Sept 14, 2021, the complete age-standardised mortality charges (ASMRs) “for the unvaccinated group (47.5 per 100,000 population) were 43.2 times and 12.5 times higher than the ASMR of individuals fully vaccinated with BNT162b2 (1.1 per 100,000) and inactivated vaccines (3.8 per 100,000), respectively”.

BNT162b2 is the title of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

Myth 5: Vaccines usually are not efficient in opposition to Omicron.

Fact: Vaccines at the moment supply the finest accessible safety in opposition to Omicron.

The present Covid-19 vaccines present substantial safety in opposition to extreme illness and dying from all the viral variants inflicting the illness, together with Omicron.

Vaccination stimulates the physique’s immune response by producing antibodies and T-cells (also called killer cells), which give safety in opposition to infections.

While there are research which have reported that the antibodies produced in opposition to Omicron is lower than these in opposition to different variants, there are additionally studies that reported that the physique’s T-cells nonetheless recognise and shield in opposition to the Omicron variant.

In reality, many researchers argue that higher consideration must be paid to our T-cells.

Myth 6: Vaccine boosters are ineffective in defending in opposition to extreme illness brought on by Omicron.

Fact: Vaccine boosters are efficient at growing safety in opposition to extreme illness from Omicron and different viral variants.

Just like many different vaccines, e.g. influenza, the antibodies produced in response to Covid-19 wane with time.

It is properly documented in lots of research that Covid-19 vaccine boosters improve antibodies markedly.

This will improve the safety in opposition to extreme illness from Omicron and different variants.

This is especially important for these whose vulnerability to extreme illness is elevated, i.e. these aged 60 years and above, in addition to individuals with underlying medical circumstances of any age.

Healthcare employees additionally want boosters due to elevated danger of publicity to the virus, and if contaminated, the elevated probability of spreading Covid-19 to the susceptible to whom they supply care.

Myth 7: Non-pharmaceutical interventions are ineffective in opposition to Omicron.

Fact: Non-pharmaceutical interventions are efficient safety that assist scale back the an infection and unfold of Omicron.

There is not any single measure that may restrict the unfold of all SARS-CoV-2 viral variants, together with Omicron.

Multiple measures primarily based on the “Swiss cheese” mannequin are required, with every measure amplifying others.

Current proof signifies that every one non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) are efficient in opposition to all variants, together with Omicron.

The NPIs embody:

  • Using face masks(s)
  • Physical distancing of not less than 2m
  • Hand and respiratory hygiene
  • Avoiding crowded, closed or confined areas
  • Ensuring good air flow
  • Staying residence when ailing, and
  • Adherence to medical recommendation and directions.

These are essential to cut back viral unfold and shield everybody.

Myth 8: As Omicron is much less extreme, the well being system will be capable of cope.

Fact: Omicron nonetheless exposes the well being system to excessive danger.

Current knowledge signifies that Omicron spreads two to 4 instances quicker than the Delta variant, thereby having the potential to contaminate many extra individuals.

A small fraction of a really giant quantity remains to be a big quantity, e.g. 2% of 10,000 and 100,000 are 200 and 2,000 respectively – an unlimited distinction.

Even if Omicron causes much less extreme illness than Delta, the speedy improve in the variety of circumstances will lead to elevated hospitalisations.

This will in flip result in elevated stress on the well being system, which additionally has to deal with different medical, surgical and obstetric circumstances, along with Covid-19.

Myth 9: As Omicron is much less extreme, the pandemic is coming to an finish.

Fact: The finish of the pandemic will not be but in sight.

No one is aware of when the pandemic will finish.

The large surge of Covid-19 circumstances in Europe and North America has been attributed to the Omicron and Delta variants.

In nations the place Omicron has turn out to be the dominant variant, the circumstances are doubling each 1.5 to a few days with quickly growing hospitalisations consequently.

It is true that some specialists have expressed the hope that the pandemic will turn out to be endemic with the Omicron variant.

These opinions have been accompanied with the caveat {that a} new extra deadly variant wouldn’t come up.

Other specialists are involved that the extra Omicron spreads, the extra it replicates and the extra seemingly the virus will change, making it extra seemingly a brand new variant may come up with the potential of it being extra harmful.

As such, it’s not but time to be complacent.

The media’s accountability is to make sure that there isn’t a misinformation or disinformation that fuels distrust that endangers well being and lives.

Such misinformation or disinformation can undercut public belief, and impair particular person and collective responses to the pandemic.

Take residence messages

Vaccination is a crucial software to guard a person and his/her household, notably younger kids.

If you’re unvaccinated, get vaccinated.

If you haven’t accomplished the main sequence of vaccination, get vaccinated.

If you’ve got accomplished the main sequence of vaccination, get your booster dose.

Keep your vaccination appointments.

And proceed to do the NPIs acknowledged above, which is equally vital.

Dr Milton Lum is a previous president of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations and the Malaysian Medical Association. For extra info, e-mail [email protected]. The views expressed don’t symbolize that of organisations that the author is related to. The info offered is for academic and communication functions solely, and it shouldn’t be construed as private medical recommendation. Information printed on this article will not be meant to switch, supplant or increase a session with a well being skilled relating to the reader’s personal medical care. The Star disclaims all accountability for any losses, injury to property or private harm suffered immediately or not directly from reliance on such info.



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