Deena Beesley

(Reuters) – Since its discovery three weeks ago in 77 countries, the Omicron coronavirus variation has been identified. This raises concerns about whether it will spread more quickly and evade any protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines.

These are the important questions scientists want to answer:

IS IT MORE CONTAGIOUS

Globally, Omicron, which is a fast-growing variant of Delta, is still dominant. However, it’s not clear if Omicron is more contagious than its predecessor. This was stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), in a Sunday brief.

Initial data suggest that this new virus is spreading quicker than other versions. The number of Omicron-related infections in South Africa and Denmark has increased by a staggering doubling each day, according to Eric Topol, who is the director of Scripps Research Translational Institute La Jolla.

On Monday, the Omicron virus was responsible for 44% of London’s infections. It is expected that it will become the predominant variant within the next 48 hours.

WHAT IS THE TYPE OF ILLNESS THIS CAUSES?

Scientists believe it’s too soon to determine if Omicron is more severe or less severe than other versions of the virus.

South African scientists claim that there is no evidence to suggest the Omicron variant may be causing severe disease. The hospital data showed that COVID-19 admissions rose sharply in over half of the nine provinces of South Africa, however there were comparatively few deaths. Indicators such as median hospital stays and the number of patients admitted have also been encouraging.

The Omicron variant was found in 43 Americans. Most reported symptoms like fatigue, coughing, and congestion.

Omicron has been infected only mildly. This is likely due to the fact that many people have some immunity and/or have had prior infections.

Analyzing the outcomes of Omicron-infected individuals, especially older and unvaccinated patients, will give a better picture of Omicron’s severity.

IS IT ABLE TO RE-INFECT PEOPLE?

Omicron has approximately 50 unique mutations, with more than 30 on spike protein which the coronavirus uses for attachment to human cells. The cluster of mutations is potentially dangerous because most COVID-19 vaccines currently target this spike protein.

The WHO reported in its most recent report that there are early warning signs that Omicron-infected individuals who have been vaccinated or previously infected will not be able to build sufficient antibodies to prevent an Omicron infection.

An in-depth study done by the South African Research Institute suggested Omicron may partially avoid protection when given two doses. Pfizer Inc (NYSE:) vaccine. BioNTech and the drugmaker said that a third booster dose was more effective in neutralizing Omicron in the lab. The results will have to be compared against Omicron in the real world.

According to a briefing by the UK government on Friday, early estimates indicated that Omicron infections are less effective than Delta. But booster shots increased the vaccine’s effectiveness from 70% to 75% shortly after it was given.

Are CURRENT TREATMENTS STILL EFFECTIVE

Omicron’s mutations are expected to reduce the effectiveness of certain manufactured antibody treatments, including some sold by Regeneron (NASDAQ:) Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co (NYSE:). GSK drugmaker said that the antibody-based COVID-19 treatment with Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ) had been effective in combating Omicron’s variant in laboratory testing.

Experimental antiviral pills – such as Pfizer Inc’s Paxlovid and Merck & Co Inc’s molnupiravir – target parts of the virus that are not changed in Omicron. If natural and vaccine-induced immunity is threatened, these drugs could be used as weapons.