By IDSE News Staff

No cases of the new omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported yet in the United States, but Canadian officials confirmed cases in Ontario, so it is already in North America.

The World Health Organization classified omicron as a variant of concern (VOC) on Nov. 26 after researchers in South Africa reported it on Nov. 24. The WHO decision was based on a review by the organization’s Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution that omicron has several mutations that may affect how the virus behaves. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk for reinfection with this variant, compared with other VOCs. 

The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of the omicron variant. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. 

Current SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostics continue to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S-gene dropout or S-gene target failure), and this test can therefore be used as a marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation.

With this approach, the omicron variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage, the WHO said.

So far, there are more unknowns than knowns.

Preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk for reinfection with omicron, compared with other VOCs, but information is limited. 

It is not yet clear whether omicron is more transmissible compared with other variants, including delta. The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiological studies are underway to understand whether omicron or other factors are responsible.

It is not yet clear whether infection with omicron causes more severe disease compared with infections with other variants, including delta. Preliminary data suggest there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with omicron, the WHO said. 

There is no information to suggest that symptoms associated with omicron are different from those from other variants. “Initial reported infections were among university studies—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease—but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks,” the WHO said in a statement. 

It is also unclear what the effect of this variant is on existing mitigation, including vaccines. 

However, the WHO said corticosteroids and interleukin-6 receptor blockers are, so far, still effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19, but other treatments need to be assessed to see whether they are still effective against the omicron variant. 

As a result of this report, the United States has restricted travel to the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Zimbabwe.

“As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel re-strictions from South Africa and seven other countries. These new restrictions will take effect on Nov. 29. As we move forward, we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises,” President Joe Biden said.

The CDC is working with oversees partners to investigate this new variant, and said its surveillance system would be able to identify it quickly if it emerges in the United States. 

As omicron has been designated a VOC, there are several actions WHO recommends countries to undertake, including enhancing surveillance and sequencing of cases; sharing genome sequences on publicly available databases, such as GISAID; reporting initial cases or clusters to the WHO; and performing field investigations and laboratory assessments to better understand whether omicron has different transmission or disease characteristics, or affects effectiveness of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, or public health and social measures. 

The most effective steps that individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is vaccination, social distancing, masking, hand hygiene, and avoiding poorly ventilated or crowded spaces. 

“The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and scientists in the United States and around the world are urgently examining vaccine effectiveness related to this variant. I strongly encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to vaccinate the children and teens in their families as well because strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness. I also want to encourage people to get a COVID-19 test if they are sick. Increased testing will help us identify Omicron quickly,” said Rochelle Walensky, MD, the director of the CDC, adding that the CDC is strengthening its recommendation on booster doses for people 18 years and older. Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine. 

The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and scientists in the United States and around the world are urgently examining vaccine effectiveness related to this variant. I strongly encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to vaccinate the children and teens in their families as well because strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness. I also want to encourage people to get a COVID-19 test if they are sick. Increased testing will help us identify Omicron quickly.

President Biden urged Americans to get vaccinated and, if they are fully vaccinated, to get their booster dose as an added precaution. He also called on the world community to match “America’s speed and generosity” in sending COVID-19 vaccines to less developed nations. 

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