Since the emergence of the Omicron variant in early November of this year, to say it has spread like wildfire is an understatement. This COVID-19 variant is still fairly young and, although there is a lot we don’t know about it, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published some ‘need to know’ information surrounding this coronavirus strain.

 Does Omicron Spread easily?

The variant, first detected in South Africa, is likely to spread more easily than the original COVID-19 variant. How easily it spreads compared to the Delta variant, however, is still unknown. So far, the variant has been detected in 89 countries and, according to the World Health Organization, is doubling fast at 1.5 to three days, even within populations that have high levels of immunity. It is expected that the virus can spread to those vaccinated or unvaccinated.

Will Omicron cause severe illness?

As it stands, there is no indication that this variant will lead to severe illnesses. More data is required to correctly form a conclusion surrounding the matter. According to Dr Scott Gottileb, the former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, South Africa has seen a separation in the Omicron cases and hospitalisations.

“There’s no indication that it causes more severe illness. What we’ve seen in South Africa, in particular, is a decoupling between the cases and hospitalisations,” Scott explained.

Are the vaccines effective against the Omicron variant?

The current vaccines are expected to prevent severe illness, hospitalisations and death from the Omicron variant as, with other variants such as the Delta, the vaccines have proved to be effective. However, the CDC posits that breakthrough infections are likely to occur with persons fully vaccinated. A breakthrough infection is a case of illness in which a vaccinated individual becomes infected with the illness the vaccine is meant to prevent.

Will treatments work against the COVID-19 variant?

Researchers have been aggressively studying the emergence of the latest variant; however it is still unknown how well existing treatments will work against it. Scientists believe that, based on the change in the genetic makeup of the virus, some treatments may remain effective while others might not prove to be as effective.

READ: Omicron spreading and infecting the vaccinated – WHO