Omicron B.1.1.529 New Covid-19 Variant

The WHO has assigned B.1.1.529 the name Omicron, following the theme of letters of the Greek alphabet.

The B.1.1.529 variant, named Omicron is under investigation in the UK and further test and study is carried as we speak so here are things are known at this present time.

This new variant is dominant in South Africa which is under investigation by Health Security Agency of UK. It’s first case was detected in Belgium so we can’t say that it’s been in other countries regardless government of different nation has imposed travel restrictions on six African countries in the hope of preventing its arrival.


This new COVID-19 virus, named B.1.1.529, was identified from samples taken from 14 to 16 November 2021 and  confirmed in China, after a South African traveller entered the country, and has since been reported to be in Belgium.


This new variant is very unusual numerous of mutation and reported there are around 50 mutations in the B.1.1.529 genome, 30 of which are in the spike protein. To compare, the Delta variant has 13 mutations.


Of these 30 mutations, some have been well characterised by scientists and have a known impact on transmissibility and the virus’s ability to evade immunity. However it is said many of the mutations have been rarely seen before, and so are not fully understood.




How many cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the UK ?

So far, there are no known cases of the new B.1.1.529 variant in the UK. According to data from the GISAID COVID tracking initiative there have 65 cases identified in South Africa. Scientists have also confirmed six cases of the Omicron variant in Botswana, and four in Hong Kong.


Is the Omicron variant more transmissible ?

According to UK Health Security Agency,  They are worried about the rise in cases in Southern Africa as these populations should have significant natural immunity from prior variants. However we cannot yet be sure that the exponential growth of COVID-19 cases in South Africa is due to B.1.1.529 but that it’s likely there are more cases of the Omicron variant than currently sequenced.


This new variant  as they have mutations near an area on the spike protein associated with more efficient cell entry, which means enhanced transmissibility among populations.

It also has mutations that are known to increase the infectivity, fitness, and virulence of SARS-CoV-2.

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