A new variant of coronavirus called omicron was discovered in South Africa and is now spreading around the world. It has been classified as a concern by the WHO. Is it more contagious and dangerous than the Delta variant? What is known so far about the Omicron variant.
The omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was discovered in South Africa on November 24 after an unusually high increase in case numbers in and around Johannesburg. In Germany, the first omicron cases were registered on November 27th and 28th in travelers returning from South Africa – meanwhile, four omicron cases have been clearly proven in this country, eight more are suspected. Here’s what we know so far about the new virus mutation.
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Omikron: How dangerous is the latest corona variant?
Due to the rapid spread in South Africa and now at least 17 other countries, including 12 European ones, it can be expected that the omicron variant is highly infectious. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) , this is probably due to the high number of mutations in the spike protein – around 30 changes were found compared to the original virus. Since these occur, among other things, at sites on the protein that are associated with improved transmission and so-called immune evasion, experts expect that Omicron is significantly more contagiouscould be and could possibly also be transmitted more easily to those who have recovered and those who have been vaccinated. In South Africa, almost three quarters of the reported new infections can be traced back to Omicron. The previous data prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to classify Omikron as a so-called virus variant of concern (“Variant of Concern”) on November 26th .
Since the data situation is still very limited, it cannot be said at the moment whether Omicron is more dangerous than the previously dominant Delta variant or not. Further clinical and epidemiological investigations are necessary for this. After all, none of the German returnees infected with omicron had to be hospitalized – mild courses were reported. All were vaccinated. However, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimates the risk from Omicron as high to very high and assumes that the new variant could also prevail over Delta in Europe within months.
Does vaccination protect against omicron?
Due to the mutations in the spike protein sites responsible for the so-called immune escape, there is currently great concern that previous vaccines could be less effective against Omicron. However, it is still unclear whether this is actually the case. However, in an interview with ZDF today , the virologist Christian Drosten assumed that the vaccines also protect against omicrons: “According to current assessment, one should assume that the available vaccines will continue to protect in principle”. It is therefore all the more important to increase the vaccination rate and continue to distribute booster vaccinations, according to Drosten: “The best protection against the new variant is therefore closing all vaccination gaps in the population and quickly administering booster vaccinations”.
Biontech vaccine against Omicron probably still effective
A study by the Africa Health Research Institute in South Africa has found that the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine could offer slightly less protection against the new omicron variant of the coronavirus. The reason for this assumption is the observation that the neutralization of omicron by the Biontech vaccine is less effective than was the case with previous corona variants. A lower level of neutralizing antibodies could mean lower immune protection, but this does not have to be the case. Because in addition to antibodies, the immune memory is also made up of T cells and B cellsresponsible for defense against corona viruses. The leader of the study, Alex Sigal, believes that Omicron does not have a complete immune escape from the vaccine and that full vaccination is therefore still effective. The Biontech founder, Ugur Sahin, also said, that a booster vaccination can still provide adequate protection against a disease of any severity caused by the omicron variant”.
Do rapid tests and PCR tests recognize the omicron variant?
Fortunately, an infection with the omicron variant also seems to be detectable with the currently used and common rapid tests and PCR tests. The virologist Sandra Ciesek posted on Twitter that conventional antigen tests from various manufacturers successfully identified Omikron.
Omicron variant: Lauterbach is worried
SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach is also concerned. On Twitter he said: “The dangerous thing about Omicron is the enormous risk of re-infection, and therefore also the risk for vaccinated people. One more reason for the rapid booster vaccination”.