Science Fridays!
This is what I think of every time this new variant is mentioned.
So let's take a look.
"Omicron's very emergence is another reminder that although many of us might think we are done with COVID-19, it is not done with us," says WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The variant was discovered by researchers in South Africa and Botswana, showing mutations that help the virus enter and infect cells. It has now been found in Israel, the UK, Hong Kong and Australia. Earlier this week, a case was reported in California.
Scientists are concerned when looking at the molecular level, as it shows 30 changes in the spike protein, which is how the virus breaks in. There are about 20 changes in other proteins that would assist in replication and interfering with early immune responses.
A specific mutation, called P681H, shared with the alpha variant, which is believed to help the virus transmit from person to person.
But we don't actually know yet if it is more transmissable, or how effective the vaccine will be. As it has been throughout this pandemic, the learning process is ongoing.
"As I have said many times, the longer we allow the pandemic to drag on - by failing to address vaccine inequity, or to implement public health and social measures in a tailored and consistent way - the more opportunity we give the virus to mutate in ways we cannot predict or prevent."
The majority of people across Africa have not received a single dose of vaccine.
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