omicron symptoms and guidlines ( covid-19) corona virus

 

Omicron

              In November 2021, a COVID-19 variant was named Omicron, after the 15^th letter of the Greek alphabet. The World Health Organization uses Greek letters to name variants, because these names are easier to communicate than scientific designations like B.1.617.2.

              Omicron multiplies around 70 times faster than the Delta variant in the bronchi(lung airways) but evidence suggests it is less severe than previous strains, especially compared to the Delta variant. Omicron might be less able to penetrate deep lung tissue. The overall risk related to this new variant remains very high.

Signs & Symptoms:

              The symptoms of Omicron generally start with body ache, weakness, fatigue headache and fever in the initial days and eventually they might also develop a cough which is sometimes dry along with a cold where there is a water from the nose, sneezing, etc…

                A unique reported symptom of the Omicron variant is night sweats.

Omicron spread is rapid:

            The Omicron variant was first reported on November 24 in South Africa. Later, it has been spread to Britain, US, India, Germany, Srilanka, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and so on….The spread with which Omicron infection s have spread is that in just one month 108 countries have reported 151,368 cases and there have been 26 deaths.

              In India, the first case of Omicron came to light on Dec 2. India on Thursday confirmed that two cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been found in the country.

                    

               Boththe cases were reported from the southern karnataka state.Two males, ages 66 & 46 , have teseted positive. A total of 27 states and union Territories have reported cases of Omicron so far. Omicron cases in India have gone up to 8,209 the ministry said. Active COVID-19 cases now stand at 16,56,341, while the recovery rate is 94.27 percent.

Omircon may soon become a dominant strain:

                       Several strains of COVID-19 have been detuted from different parts of the qorld Alpha , Beta , Lambda. Out of all, was the most servre one which led to the second COVID earlier this year experts believe that Omicron, being transmissille , can become a dominant strain very soon. 

Diagnosis:

          The widely used PCR and antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests continue to detect infection of COVID-19, including Omicron. Tests that detect multiple gene target will continue to identify the test as positive for COVID-19. The variant can also be identified by sequencing and genotyping.

Suggestions &Recommendation:

The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is:

·      To keep a physical distance of atleast 1 metre from others.

·      Wear a well-fitting mask.

·      Open windows to improve ventilations.

·      Avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces.

·      Keeps hand clean.

·      Cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue and

·      Get vaccinated when it’s their turn.

                             “Vaccines are an important tool in our fight against the pandemic, but as we know, vaccines alone will not get any country out of this pandemic. We must scale up vaccination and at the same time implement public health and social measures, which have proven critical to limiting transmission of COVID-19 and reducing deaths, “ the Regional Director said. 

                                Learn to live with the virus and take a holistic view on the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic on livelihoods. The detrimental indirect economic, societal, educational, mental health & other health effects of a sledge-hammer approach to dealing with the ongoing pandemic threatens to outstrip the direct effect of COVID.

Follow the science & don’t distort it.

              Learn from mistakes of past and be bold in next steps.