Popular
What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?
Recognizing Gaslighting
What is China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy?
Latest on Tunisia and Arab Spring
What are VPNs, and why are they in the news always?
Few terms coming up in focus to understand the troubled global economy
U.S. Fed interest rate hike and its impact on India
Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan – The past and the present 
Why are special drawing rights (SDR) in the news always?
The world faces a growing stagflationary storm
Politics Science News
  • Home
  • Topics
    • Economics Environment Global Reports/Agreements In pictures Intl. Organisations Personalities Politics Science & Tech Theory / Facts World World History All
      Economics

      Few terms coming up in focus to understand…

      29th July 2022

      Economics

      Why are special drawing rights (SDR) in the…

      23rd May 2022

      Economics

      The world faces a growing stagflationary storm

      5th May 2022

      Economics

      What is and Why De-Dollarisation?

      22nd April 2022

      Economics

      Explained – The U.S. Federal Reserve to increase…

      8th February 2022

      Economics

      All you need to know about the Natural…

      24th January 2022

      Economics

      The Truth about “Tax the Rich”

      27th December 2021

      Economics

      Venezuela Crisis

      2nd October 2021

      Environment

      World Air Quality Report 

      28th March 2022

      Environment

      Why should we be worried about topsoil erosion?

      21st March 2022

      Environment

      Effects of Climate Change

      30th July 2021

      Environment

      Implications of a Tragic Love Story – Coral…

      4th June 2021

      Global Reports/Agreements

      IPCC Report 2022

      8th March 2022

      Global Reports/Agreements

      The Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC and Paris…

      3rd August 2021

      Global Reports/Agreements

      Understanding World Happiness Report

      15th April 2021

      In pictures

      World War 2 Summary (1939 to 1945)

      9th July 2020

      In pictures

      World War I – 1914-1918

      30th June 2020

      Intl. Organisations

      What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?

      5th January 2023

      Intl. Organisations

      International Energy Agency (IEA)

      15th April 2022

      Intl. Organisations

      Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

      12th April 2022

      Intl. Organisations

      United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

      10th April 2022

      Intl. Organisations

      What is the G20 Summit?

      31st October 2021

      Intl. Organisations

      What is QUAD? | Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

      10th October 2021

      Intl. Organisations

      SCO – What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?

      28th September 2021

      Intl. Organisations

      G7 GROUP

      24th September 2021

      Personalities

      Gramsci Prison Notebooks

      18th November 2021

      Personalities

      John Stuart Mill: Theories

      10th September 2021

      Personalities

      Understanding Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

      4th July 2021

      Personalities

      John Locke – Father of Liberalism

      14th June 2021

      Personalities

      Hobbes Leviathan – Political Philosophy of Hobbes

      22nd May 2021

      Personalities

      Chanakya Strategies in administration

      30th March 2021

      Personalities

      Who was Machiavelli? – The Prince Summary and…

      3rd March 2021

      Personalities

      Aristotle – A Greek Philosopher

      25th January 2021

      Politics

      What is China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy?

      21st October 2022

      Politics

      Latest on Tunisia and Arab Spring

      18th August 2022

      Politics

      Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan – The past…

      27th May 2022

      Politics

      Sudan’s Nightmare: The Conflict Explained

      9th January 2022

      Politics

      What’s happening between Ukraine and Russia?

      12th December 2021

      Politics

      China Taiwan Conflict

      7th October 2021

      Politics

      Taliban taking over Afghanistan

      18th August 2021

      Politics

      Armenian Genocide – What Happened?

      24th April 2021

      Science & Tech

      What are VPNs, and why are they in…

      29th July 2022

      Science & Tech

      Does Splinternet mean the end of the Internet?

      6th April 2022

      Science & Tech

      What you must know about the world’s first…

      2nd January 2022

      Science & Tech

      Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19…

      5th December 2021

      Science & Tech

      Dopamine Happy Hormone

      14th August 2021

      Science & Tech

      How to avoid trans fat?

      7th August 2021

      Science & Tech

      Mental Health during the COVID19 pandemic 

      27th June 2021

      Science & Tech

      CRISPR Nobel Prize 2020 – What is it…

      27th December 2020

      Theory / Facts

      What is Fascism?

      21st July 2021

      Theory / Facts

      Banality of Evil

      14th July 2021

      Theory / Facts

      Evolution of Western Political Thought

      19th December 2020

      Theory / Facts

      What is Game Theory in Politics?

      10th December 2020

      Theory / Facts

      Demarcation of Powers and Responsibilities

      13th September 2019

      Theory / Facts

      Realist vs Idealist

      2nd September 2019

      World

      The Truth about Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

      28th February 2022

      World

      Djokovic Visa Controversy – More Than What Meets…

      17th January 2022

      World

      Happiest Countries in the World – Top 10

      5th April 2021

      World

      5 Women making history in 2021 – Women…

      21st March 2021

      World

      Five demonstrations that changed history

      5th February 2021

      World

      Myanmar Story

      2nd February 2021

      World

      India and Global Nuclear Order

      31st January 2021

      World

      Nuclear Proliferation

      30th January 2021

      World History

      Israel Palestine Conflict

      11th May 2021

      World History

      What is Cold War? – Cold War Summary

      11th February 2021

      World History

      Russian Revolution

      10th January 2021

      World History

      The Soviet Union Collapse and End of Cold…

      30th December 2020

      World History

      French Revolution – What happened?

      3rd December 2020

      World History

      American Revolution Summary

      28th November 2020

      World History

      South Korea vs North Korea

      12th September 2020

      World History

      World War 2 Summary (1939 to 1945)

      9th July 2020

      Topics

      What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?

      5th January 2023

      Topics

      What is China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy?

      21st October 2022

      Topics

      Latest on Tunisia and Arab Spring

      18th August 2022

      Topics

      What are VPNs, and why are they in…

      29th July 2022

      Topics

      Few terms coming up in focus to understand…

      29th July 2022

      Topics

      Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan – The past…

      27th May 2022

      Topics

      Why are special drawing rights (SDR) in the…

      23rd May 2022

      Topics

      The world faces a growing stagflationary storm

      5th May 2022

  • NewsFeed
  • Miscellaneous
  • Videos
  • Archives
Science & Tech

Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 variants!

by Admin 5th December 2021
5th December 2021
Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 variants

The pandemic has lasted for close to 2 years. The pandemic waves have also brought upon a lot of new terminologies for the common man to learn that were otherwise limited to the scientific world. Coronavirus, RT-PCR, antibodies, quarantine, incubation period, flattening the curve, the vaccine was enough already, but now we have been introduced to the Greek vocabulary yet again, but this time the meaning has been redefined to express the variants of COVID-19 to make the discussion around the pandemic be better understood by all.

Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 variants

What are COVID-19 variants after all? Why do we have them?

Let us understand the basics first. Most living beings have their genetic information encoded in DNA. DNA carries the instructions that are essential for building and maintaining living organisms. The accuracy (integrity and fidelity) of this information is maintained by proofreading mechanisms present in the body so that unexpected changes or mutations do not occur. Viruses also have genetic information stored in the form of DNA or RNA. RNA is more prone to changes or mutations (up to a million times greater than the DNA) due to the lack of such proofreading mechanisms. 

As we all know by now, COVID-19 is caused by a virus called coronavirus. Coronavirus has its genetic material encoded in RNA. Lack of proofreading mechanisms is why it is highly susceptible to mutations. With time, it has led to multiple variants of the original virus, some variants being of more concern than others.

Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 variants

How are the COVID-19 variants being classified?

Now that we have understood that coronavirus mutates, leading to new variants. We need to remember that not all mutations or changes are worrisome. Rather a lot of these changes have little or no effect on the properties of viruses. But we cannot disregard the fact that variants need to be monitored to understand the impact they have on how easily it spreads, the associated disease severity, or the performance of vaccines, therapeutic medicines, diagnostic tools, or other public health social measures required.

Based on the above considerations, coronavirus variants are classified in different categories by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Variants being Monitored (VBM) are all those variants with genetic changes that are either suspected of having a potential risk in the future but lack evidence of or have been confirmed not to pose a significant and imminent threat to public health but are still being continually monitored to assess the impact on properties of transmission along with other risk parameters. There are several variants of SARS-CoV-2 being monitored right now, the list is regularly updated through continued assessment of data.

A variant of interest (VOI) is a variant with genetic markers that have been known or predicted to have greater transmissibility, disease severity, higher capacity to evade the immune response as well as pose difficulty in diagnostic testing. All these potential attributes may lead to an increase in cases and outbreaks. Currently, two SARS-CoV-2 variants are designated as VOI by WHO: Lambda and Mu.

A variant of concern (VOC) is one that, in comparison to the attributes of VOI, have been observed to be more infectious, likely to cause re-infections in those who are vaccinated or previously infected, leading to greater transmissibility and outbreaks. These variants are also likely to cause severe disease, diagnostic detection failures, and resist antiviral treatment. Currently, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and now Omicron are designated as VOC by WHO.

A variant of high consequence (VOHC) is a variant that, in addition to the possible attributes of a VOC, can cause disproportionately higher infections in vaccinated individuals causing reduced protection along with more severe clinical disease and increased hospitalizations. Currently, no SARS-CoV-2 variants are designated as VOHC.

Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 variants

Why are the variants given Greek alphabets?

Most variants have been reported by their country of origin, leading to stigmatization and discrimination. To avoid such reporting and confusion, WHO considered easy-to-pronounce, non-stigmatizing labels to assist the public discussions of variants for VOI and VOC. They proposed using the Greek alphabet (for example, alpha, beta, gamma) as a practical way to discuss variants for non-scientific audiences. These labels do not replace existing scientific names, which convey important scientific information and will continue to be used in research.

Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 variants

Which COVID-19 variants should we know about?

So far, WHO has identified several variants, five are categorized as VOC, and two as VOI. Eta, Iota, and Kappa are VBM, and Epsilon, Zeta, Theta were variants formerly monitored. According to WHO, Nu and Xi are opted out as Nu can be easily confused with the English word ‘new’ and Xi is a common surname.

Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 variants

Should we be worried?

While Delta remains the most dominant variant, all Delta lineages remain susceptible to available treatments, and vaccines continue to be highly effective against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. 

Omicron, on the other hand, is still new to infer any conclusions. While it does consist of a notably high number of mutations (approximately 30) in the spike protein (part of the virus that is responsible for entering the human cell) and it does have increased transmission compared to the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, whether it is more transmissible as compared to Delta is still under investigation. 

The overall disease severity of Omicron is yet to be confirmed. Till now, most infections that have been reported show no unusual symptoms making the assessment of disease severity rather difficult.

As far as immunity due to vaccination is concerned, most vaccines are developed with the primary target as spike protein. With a number of mutations in the Omicron being located in the spike protein, it is anticipated that the vaccine neutralization effect and the protection induced by it may be reduced.

Further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of vaccines, including those that have received booster shots. However, vaccination would continue to offer protection against hospitalization and death along with controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus variantsCOVID-19 variantsOmicron
previous post
How to be Yourself?
next post
What’s happening between Ukraine and Russia?

Related Articles

What are VPNs, and why are they in...

29th July 2022

Does Splinternet mean the end of the Internet?

6th April 2022

What you must know about the world’s first...

2nd January 2022

Dopamine Happy Hormone

14th August 2021

How to avoid trans fat?

7th August 2021

Mental Health during the COVID19 pandemic 

27th June 2021

CRISPR Nobel Prize 2020 – What is it...

27th December 2020

Emotional Intelligence Meaning

13th December 2020

Recent Posts

  • What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?

    5th January 2023
  • Recognizing Gaslighting

    10th December 2022
  • What is China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy?

    21st October 2022
  • Latest on Tunisia and Arab Spring

    18th August 2022
  • What are VPNs, and why are they in the news always?

    29th July 2022

Subscribe Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

NewsFeed

  • After 50,000 years, a ‘green comet’ will approach the planet

    27th January 2023
  • 2023 UN World Social Report

    20th January 2023
  • Global Risk Report 2023

    16th January 2023
  • What is a recession?

    13th January 2023
  • Tokyo is crowded that the government is paying families to relocate

    10th January 2023
  • Green Hydrogen Explained

    7th January 2023
  • Why is Ozempic trending on TikTok?

    4th January 2023
  • Watch out for these five space exploration missions in 2023

    1st January 2023
  • Know about recession and the yield curve

    29th December 2022
  • Artificial intelligence tool called ChatGPT 

    27th December 2022

Article Archives

Editor’s Picks

  • International Organisations List

    7th October 2020

Social Counter

facebook Like
instagram Follow Us

Popular Posts

  • 1

    World Economic Forum (WEF)

    27th January 2021
  • 2

    China Taiwan Conflict

    7th October 2021
  • 3

    European Union

    20th October 2019
  • 4

    Sunni and Shia Differences and ISIS Conflict

    1st October 2019
  • 5

    Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict

    9th October 2020

Posts Slider

What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?

5th January 2023

Recognizing Gaslighting

10th December 2022

What is China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy?

21st October 2022

Latest on Tunisia and Arab Spring

18th August 2022

What are VPNs, and why are they in...

29th July 2022

Few terms coming up in focus to understand...

29th July 2022

U.S. Fed interest rate hike and its impact...

17th June 2022

Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan – The past...

27th May 2022

Why are special drawing rights (SDR) in the...

23rd May 2022

The world faces a growing stagflationary storm

5th May 2022

What is and Why De-Dollarisation?

22nd April 2022

International Energy Agency (IEA)

15th April 2022

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

12th April 2022

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

10th April 2022

Does Splinternet mean the end of the Internet?

6th April 2022

Quote

"unexamined life is not worth living" - SOCRATES

"law is a reason free from passions"- ARISTOTLE

"he who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command"- MACHIAVELLI

"be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"- PLATO

"prepare for the worst; expect the best; and take what comes"- HANNAH ARENDT

"he who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that"- J S MILL

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Topics
  • NEWSFEED
  • Videos
  • Miscellaneous
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

@2022 All Right Reserved

Politics Science News
  • Home
  • Topics
    • Economics Environment Global Reports/Agreements In pictures Intl. Organisations Personalities Politics Science & Tech Theory / Facts World World History All
      Economics

      Few terms coming up in focus to understand…

      29th July 2022

      Economics

      Why are special drawing rights (SDR) in the…

      23rd May 2022

      Economics

      The world faces a growing stagflationary storm

      5th May 2022

      Economics

      What is and Why De-Dollarisation?

      22nd April 2022

      Economics

      Explained – The U.S. Federal Reserve to increase…

      8th February 2022

      Economics

      All you need to know about the Natural…

      24th January 2022

      Economics

      The Truth about “Tax the Rich”

      27th December 2021

      Economics

      Venezuela Crisis

      2nd October 2021

      Environment

      World Air Quality Report 

      28th March 2022

      Environment

      Why should we be worried about topsoil erosion?

      21st March 2022

      Environment

      Effects of Climate Change

      30th July 2021

      Environment

      Implications of a Tragic Love Story – Coral…

      4th June 2021

      Global Reports/Agreements

      IPCC Report 2022

      8th March 2022

      Global Reports/Agreements

      The Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC and Paris…

      3rd August 2021

      Global Reports/Agreements

      Understanding World Happiness Report

      15th April 2021

      In pictures

      World War 2 Summary (1939 to 1945)

      9th July 2020

      In pictures

      World War I – 1914-1918

      30th June 2020

      Intl. Organisations

      What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?

      5th January 2023

      Intl. Organisations

      International Energy Agency (IEA)

      15th April 2022

      Intl. Organisations

      Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

      12th April 2022

      Intl. Organisations

      United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

      10th April 2022

      Intl. Organisations

      What is the G20 Summit?

      31st October 2021

      Intl. Organisations

      What is QUAD? | Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

      10th October 2021

      Intl. Organisations

      SCO – What is Shanghai Cooperation Organisation?

      28th September 2021

      Intl. Organisations

      G7 GROUP

      24th September 2021

      Personalities

      Gramsci Prison Notebooks

      18th November 2021

      Personalities

      John Stuart Mill: Theories

      10th September 2021

      Personalities

      Understanding Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

      4th July 2021

      Personalities

      John Locke – Father of Liberalism

      14th June 2021

      Personalities

      Hobbes Leviathan – Political Philosophy of Hobbes

      22nd May 2021

      Personalities

      Chanakya Strategies in administration

      30th March 2021

      Personalities

      Who was Machiavelli? – The Prince Summary and…

      3rd March 2021

      Personalities

      Aristotle – A Greek Philosopher

      25th January 2021

      Politics

      What is China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy?

      21st October 2022

      Politics

      Latest on Tunisia and Arab Spring

      18th August 2022

      Politics

      Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan – The past…

      27th May 2022

      Politics

      Sudan’s Nightmare: The Conflict Explained

      9th January 2022

      Politics

      What’s happening between Ukraine and Russia?

      12th December 2021

      Politics

      China Taiwan Conflict

      7th October 2021

      Politics

      Taliban taking over Afghanistan

      18th August 2021

      Politics

      Armenian Genocide – What Happened?

      24th April 2021

      Science & Tech

      What are VPNs, and why are they in…

      29th July 2022

      Science & Tech

      Does Splinternet mean the end of the Internet?

      6th April 2022

      Science & Tech

      What you must know about the world’s first…

      2nd January 2022

      Science & Tech

      Omicron: Everything you need to know about COVID-19…

      5th December 2021

      Science & Tech

      Dopamine Happy Hormone

      14th August 2021

      Science & Tech

      How to avoid trans fat?

      7th August 2021

      Science & Tech

      Mental Health during the COVID19 pandemic 

      27th June 2021

      Science & Tech

      CRISPR Nobel Prize 2020 – What is it…

      27th December 2020

      Theory / Facts

      What is Fascism?

      21st July 2021

      Theory / Facts

      Banality of Evil

      14th July 2021

      Theory / Facts

      Evolution of Western Political Thought

      19th December 2020

      Theory / Facts

      What is Game Theory in Politics?

      10th December 2020

      Theory / Facts

      Demarcation of Powers and Responsibilities

      13th September 2019

      Theory / Facts

      Realist vs Idealist

      2nd September 2019

      World

      The Truth about Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

      28th February 2022

      World

      Djokovic Visa Controversy – More Than What Meets…

      17th January 2022

      World

      Happiest Countries in the World – Top 10

      5th April 2021

      World

      5 Women making history in 2021 – Women…

      21st March 2021

      World

      Five demonstrations that changed history

      5th February 2021

      World

      Myanmar Story

      2nd February 2021

      World

      India and Global Nuclear Order

      31st January 2021

      World

      Nuclear Proliferation

      30th January 2021

      World History

      Israel Palestine Conflict

      11th May 2021

      World History

      What is Cold War? – Cold War Summary

      11th February 2021

      World History

      Russian Revolution

      10th January 2021

      World History

      The Soviet Union Collapse and End of Cold…

      30th December 2020

      World History

      French Revolution – What happened?

      3rd December 2020

      World History

      American Revolution Summary

      28th November 2020

      World History

      South Korea vs North Korea

      12th September 2020

      World History

      World War 2 Summary (1939 to 1945)

      9th July 2020

      Topics

      What is the Wassenaar Arrangement?

      5th January 2023

      Topics

      What is China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy?

      21st October 2022

      Topics

      Latest on Tunisia and Arab Spring

      18th August 2022

      Topics

      What are VPNs, and why are they in…

      29th July 2022

      Topics

      Few terms coming up in focus to understand…

      29th July 2022

      Topics

      Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan – The past…

      27th May 2022

      Topics

      Why are special drawing rights (SDR) in the…

      23rd May 2022

      Topics

      The world faces a growing stagflationary storm

      5th May 2022

  • NewsFeed
  • Miscellaneous
  • Videos
  • Archives