Omicron Variant: Symptoms, Spread, and What We Know So Far

Fresh updates on the Omicron variant, the newly identified strain of COVID-19, reveal its unique symptoms and the countries where it has already emerged. This article delves into the specifics of the Omicron variant, its symptoms, spread, and the latest statements from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Symptoms of the Omicron Variant

The symptoms of the Omicron variant share similarities with those of traditional COVID-19 strains, but there are also distinctive features. Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a South African physician, was the first to suspect the circulation of this new variant and brought attention to its unique symptoms.

According to The Telegraph, citing Dr. Coetzee, the symptoms of the new variant were unusual. Young people, primarily men, and even children visited her clinic complaining of extreme fatigue, increased heart rate, and severe headaches. Notably, none of the patients experienced loss of taste or smell, nor did they report sore throats. Most patients had normal oxygen saturation levels. Approximately half of the patients were unvaccinated, which raised particular concern for the doctor.

“We should be concerned about the following: when elderly unvaccinated people become infected with the new variant, and if they remain unvaccinated, we may see many cases with severe illness,” she stated.

The Spread of Omicron

Meanwhile, new cases of Omicron infection are being identified in European countries. Two cases were recently reported in the United Kingdom. On November 27, the Italian Ministry of Health announced the first officially confirmed case in the country, diagnosed in a traveler from Mozambique. Germany confirmed the first two cases in citizens who had arrived from Cape Town (the study was conducted in Munich). Currently, fifty other passengers from the same flight are in quarantine.

Earlier reports indicated that the Omicron variant had been detected in Israel, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Australia, Hong Kong, and possibly the Netherlands and Austria. In response, many European countries have suspended air travel with South African nations.

There are suspicions that the new variant may have reached Belarus. Over the past weekend, media outlets reported statements from Russian politician and senator Vladimir Krugly, suggesting that Omicron was already present in Russia, potentially spread by numerous tourists who had visited Egypt. However, this assumption was later refuted by Rospotrebnadzor, which stated that the virus had not yet been detected.

Is Omicron More Dangerous Than the Delta Variant?

Concerns have been raised about the variant’s susceptibility to vaccines. Medical professionals worry that vaccines may be ineffective against Omicron, although this is still a hypothesis.

Scientists are also unable to provide a definitive answer regarding the danger of the new variant. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is not yet sufficiently studied, and it is too early to conclude whether it is more dangerous than the Delta variant, according to a WHO statement reported by RIA Novosti.

“In areas of South Africa affected by this variant, the number of people testing positive has increased, but epidemiological studies are underway to understand if this is linked to the Omicron variant or other factors,” the statement said.

It is worth noting that no fatal cases related to Omicron infection have been reported to date.

The WHO continues to warn that those who have recovered from COVID-19 should not become complacent, as they have an increased risk of contracting the new variant. Medical professionals still emphasize that timely vaccination and collective immunity are crucial to containing the spread of COVID-19.

The Omicron variant was first diagnosed in Botswana on November 11. Currently, it is considered the most mutated form of COVID-19, with 32 mutations.

For more information, visit the World Health Organization website.