Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know
Posted by Ahmed Iyanda | 3 years ago | 1,891 times
Since the discovery of the omicron variant in Nigeria on Wednesday December 1st 2021, daily COVID infections have continued to surge over the past week.
On November 24, 2021, Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, also known as B.1.1.529 lineage, was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana and on November 14, 2021 in South Africa.
The World Health Organization (WHO), then named it Omicron and classified it as a Variant of Concern (VOC) afterwards.
Preliminary findings in countries where this variant was earlier detected, shows that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron were different from other variants, however, there is still a lot to learn about the new variant, which requires the guidance of scientific evidence.
New study from South Africa's largest private health insurer shows that two shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is just 33% protective against omicron, while full vaccination against COVID-19 continues to provide 70% protection against severe disease, according to the Discovery Health study.
According to a report, the average number of new COVID-19 infections reported each day in Nigeria rose by more than 760 over the last 3 weeks, 46% of its previous peak. Till date, 222655 cases have been confirmed, 211373 cases have been discharged and 2984 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
However, vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect Nigerians from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Scientists are currently investigating Omicron, including how protected fully vaccinated people will be against infection, hospitalization, and death.
Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has done enough damage to humanity and even tampered with the nation's economy, however, the discovery of the Omicron variant has thrown more challenges in the way for humanity.
For Nigeria, battling with myriads of other challenges owing to the failure of leadership is a sad development indeed. However, a sound appraisal of the situation and a pragmatic approach to confronting it will see the country coming out stronger.
The truth of the matter is that the Omicron variant is deadly and people are testing positive for it. Travel bans have been imposed on countries, especially African countries.
But there is no need to panic, because, as the NCDC enjoined Nigerians to continue adhering to effective public health measures such as mask use, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and ensuring good ventilation.
Coming at a time Nigeria was becoming relaxed in a seeming feeling that the worst was over, it is a wake-up call to overhaul the medical and health infrastructure in the most populous black nation in the world, with over 200million population.
