Omicron has more than 30 mutations, it is more contagious than Delta: Medanta Medicity Chairman

The new Omicron variant of Corona found in South Africa has once again raised concerns. It is being told that this variant can even beat the vaccine. Meanwhile, companies around the world have also started preparing to make Covid vaccine against new variants.

The whole world is once again worried due to the new variant of Coronavirus. Now that the cases of Covid had started decreasing in many countries, then again a new variant has scared everyone. This new variant has been found in South Africa. It is being said that it spreads very fast and its mutation has happened more than 30 times. This variant has been named B.1.1.529.

The whole world is cautious about this variant. The Government of India has also asked all the states to be prepared. On Thursday, the Ministry of Health issued instructions for screening of people coming from countries affected by the new variant of Covid. Corona test will be done for all international travelers coming to India. Recently, visa restrictions were relaxed and international travel was exempted, so special caution is being taken about it. Rapid testing is also being given full emphasis.

Tension of WHO scientists increased

This variant, which is constantly mutating, has increased the tension of scientists along with WHO. Mutation ie change of form more than 30 times is the most dangerous thing. In the second wave, the Delta and Delta Plus variants were similarly mutated and proved fatal. The most worrying thing is whether the current vaccine is effective against this variant or not, it is being studied. This may take time. In such a situation, it is being feared that by then this variant may not start wreaking havoc.

The new variant also increased the tension of PM Modi

The new variant of Corona, Omicron, has also increased the concern of countries around the world. Amidst all these circumstances, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on Saturday. PM Modi has held this meeting with top officials regarding the latest situation of Corona and vaccination in the country.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba as well as many other senior officials were also involved in this high-level meeting called by PM Modi regarding Corona. Principal Secretary to Prime Minister PK Mishra, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, and NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Paul were also in this meeting.

Concern has also started increasing in the states regarding the new variant of Corona. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed that flights to countries affected by the new variant of Corona should be banned. Kejriwal has tweeted saying that our country has overcome Corona while battling big problems. We should take all necessary steps to prevent the new variants from entering India.

What is the preparation of the Government of India?

It has been told that those who come to India from these countries will have to undergo a strict screening. All this will happen because those countries of Africa are preparing to be placed in the ‘at risk’ category. The reason behind this complete vigilance of the government is also valid. In the second wave, the coronavirus caused havoc in India and the corona delta variant was considered to be the biggest responsible for this. Fearing the delta variant wreaking havoc in Europe and other countries, many Indians had returned to their country. There was a mistake in the testing somewhere at the airport and then gradually this variant cut the ruckus. In such a situation, this time the central government is taking special vigilance.

WHO meeting regarding new corona variant

Meanwhile, the Technical Advisory Group of WHO has called an important meeting. In that meeting, brainstorming is going on regarding this new variant. WHO says that more research is needed on this variant. It is most important that we get more and more people to get the corona vaccine so that it can be fought.

Big concerns about the new variant

By the way, there is more concern about this new variant because it is not yet known how fast it can spread. The information that has come out is only about the mutation of this variant. KRISP director De Oliveira says that many unusual mutations have been seen in this new variant. According to him, more than 30 mutations have been seen so far. It looks more worrying than the other variants.

The director has also emphasized that the vaccine is still the biggest weapon against Corona. It is not known how effective the vaccine is on the new variant, but there are not many options in front of the world right now. Other countries have also started taking steps against this variant.

Britain and Israel alert

Britain and Israel have banned flights from South Africa, Botswana, and four other African countries. Australia has also tightened the rules regarding passengers coming from these countries.

EU puts brakes on flights coming from South Africa

Israel’s prime minister said on Friday that Israel was on the verge of reaching a state of emergency after a new strain of the coronavirus was detected. On the other hand, the European Union has also decided to stop flights coming from South Africa.

Due to this new variant of Covid-19, the European Union has also decided to stop flights coming from South Africa. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed applying the emergency brakes to stop air travel from the southern African region. This proposal can be implemented from Friday night itself. Return flights from South Africa will only bring home German nationals. Also, passengers will have to remain in quarantine for 14 days, whether they are vaccinated or not.

Rapid work on Omicron’s vaccine begins

American company Novavax said that it has started work on the vaccine to target the new variant. The company also told that in the next few weeks the vaccine will be ready for testing and manufacturing. According to the company, it is making a spike protein that will increase immunity against the new variant B.1.1.

A Novavax spokesperson said that preliminary work will begin in the next few weeks. Apart from this, German company BioNTech and American company Johnson & Johnson have also said that they are testing the effectiveness of their vaccine on Omicron variants. Along with this, another American company Inovio Pharmaceuticals has also said that it is testing against new variants to check the efficacy of its vaccine. According to the company, this testing will be done in two weeks.

What do doctors say about the new variant?

Naresh Trehan, chairman of Medanta Medicity, told a TV channel that, ‘Omicron’ variant is spreading very fast in other countries including South Africa, Belgium, Hong Kong, Botswana. ‘Omicron’ is much more dangerous than the Delta variants of Corona. More than 30 mutations have been found in ‘Omicron’ while about 15 mutations were found in the delta variant, so it is much more infectious than delta. WHO has put it in the category of ‘Variants of Concern’.