Virologist Volchkov: the omicron strain could have formed among millions of people infected with HIV a large number of mutations in the omicron-strain of coronavirus. This was reported by Izvestia.
According to him, this could have happened due to the fact that a new variant of infection has formed among millions of people infected with HIV.
“The countries where it was formed have a very high level of HIV infection. In some, 60 percent of the population is sick, ”he said. The expert added that people with HIV have an “inhibited immune response.” However, in Africa, things are complicated by the large number of immunocompromised people.
“I think millions are being treated for AIDS with highly effective retroviral therapy. And it may be that Omicron was formed in such a way as to leave from under it, ”the virologist emphasized. According to him, the new strain can indeed be highly contagious and highly pathogenic. He also added that the omicron strain may be able to bypass adaptive immunity after vaccination.
At the same time, it can be argued that vaccinated people will have greater protection in relation to unvaccinated ones, Volchkov said.
< p> Earlier, WHO assessed the course of COVID-19 in those infected with the omicron strain. Experts concluded that those infected with the new strain carry COVID-19 in a milder form. According to scientists, this is due to the fact that the process of going through the entire cycle – from infection to complete recovery – takes longer.
A new strain of coronavirus under the code B.1.1.529 was detected in South Africa on November 11. The first confirmed cases of infection were recorded on November 24. The strain was named with the Greek letter “omicron” and have already managed to recognize its danger at the WHO level.