Just a few days after scientists recognized it in South Africa, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has appeared in instances all over the world – together with 42 confirmed instances within the UK to this point.
South Africa has reported a sharp enhance in complete instances, 8,561 on 1st December, and Omicron has been detected in 20 international locations. Whether or not the brand new variant is extra contagious or lethal is but to be confirmed.
Within the meantime, the World Well being Organisation (WHO) has labelled it a “variant of concern”, and nationwide governments have already begun implementing responses. As of the thirtieth November 2021, face masks are obligatory in retailers and on public transport in England. A brand new part of mandates concerning testing for worldwide travellers and self-isolation for many who encounter Omicron-confirmed instances have additionally come into impact.
Little is understood whether or not the signs of Omicron differ from different variants. In South Africa, the majority of these who’re contaminated are younger which could possibly be as a result of they’ve acquired just one vaccine dose to this point. Constructive instances have reported delicate signs.
The BBC reviews that “there’s some suggestion” of various signs to the dominant Delta variant, together with physique pains and no lack of style and scent. Nonetheless, at this stage reviews are solely anecdotal and extra analysis should be performed.
In response to the WHO, a cough, fever and lack of style and scent are nonetheless the tell-tale signs to observe for.
Furthermore, recommendation on conserving your self and your loved ones secure stay the identical. Getting absolutely vaccinated reduces the danger of needing hospital therapy should you contract the virus, and booster jabs can provide most safety all through the winter months.
The immune system suffers in winter for a number of causes. Decreased Vitamin D ranges on account of decreased solar publicity is believed to be one wrongdoer, and chilly temperatures could weaken the cells within the nasal cavity, liable for virus safety. As well as, behavioural components resembling spending extra time indoors near different folks enhance the chance of transmission.
At present, booster jabs can be found for folks over 40, care and frontline well being staff, and people over 16 with underlying well being points. These eligible can ebook the vaccination on-line.
The controversy over whether or not to increase booster jabs to all adults comes as early research on waning vaccine effectiveness are being printed. One examine suggests the antibodies produced in response to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the most typical for below 40s, lowered by as much as 57% after six months.
Because the festive interval approaches, well being authorities suggest conserving a bodily distance of 1 metre (or extra) from others and staying away from crowded and poorly-ventilated areas. When you’re planning on having visitors over all through Christmas, opening home windows can assist enhance air flow, and common hand-washing can assist restrict the transmission of the virus.