The specialist noted that the disease in those infected with the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is mostly mild, but the high contagiousness of the virus can lead to an overload of the healthcare system.
To curb the spread of omicron, the authorities should take into account three more symptoms that are often found in colds, the doctor believes.
“The fact that 75 percent of new COVID-19 cases have symptoms similar to colds, and classic symptoms are much less common, means that the recommendations of the authorities need to be updated urgently. <...> We would like to add symptoms such as sore throat, headache and runny nose to the list as soon as possible,” the doctor noted.
A new strain of B.1.1.529 was found in Botswana and South Africa at the end of November. It contains dozens of mutations in the S-protein required by the pathogen to infect cells. According to the researchers, many of the new changes in the SARS-CoV-2 genome indicate the high transmissivity of this variant and resistance to protective antibodies of those who have been ill and vaccinated.
Presumably, B.1.1.529 initially developed in the body of a person with weakened immunity, for example, infected with HIV.
The World Health Organization has recognized B.1.1.529 as “of concern” and assigned it the name “omicron— – according to the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.
Experts believe that those who have already been ill and vaccinated can become infected, and symptoms range from fatigue to headaches and body aches. Cases of infection have been identified in more than 100 countries, including in Of Russia.