Omicron variant to become ‘dominant strain’ says professor
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The latest subtype of the coronavirus is slowly graining ground, with 150 cases now confirmed in the UK. But researchers have yet to establish the danger Omicron poses to current safety measures, and part of this process involves gauging transmission rates. To date, it is believed symptoms of the variant differ little to those seen with previous strains. The CDC has shared five symptoms that warrant a call to your doctor.
WHO officials have reiterated it is still too early to draw conclusions about the new strain and the danger it poses.
Medical experts worldwide are trying to uncover how Omicron compares with the globally-dominant delta variant.
Doctors in South Africa first suspected the emergence of Omicron after patients began presenting with symptoms that differed slightly to those seen with Delta.
Extreme tiredness, muscle aches, scratchy throat and dry cough appear to be the most commonly reported symptoms to date.
READ MORE: Omicron variant: Doctor shares the ‘predominant’ symptom to look for – and it is ‘severe’
Most share a likeness to those seen with previous strains, all of which have been described as flu-like.
In certain instances, however, symptoms could take a dangerous turn, warranting emergency medical help, warns the CDC.
The Health body advises seeking medical help if any of the following signs emerge:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, grey, or blue-coloured skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.
Fortunately, South African experts have said no reports of oxygen drops have been associated with the new variant so far.
No cases of loss of taste or smell have been associated with the new strain either.
What’s more, there are widespread reports that Omicron is affecting people who are 40 or younger.
During a Monday night briefing convened by South Africa’s Department of Health, general practitioner doctor Unben Pullary listed symptoms that patients were reporting.
He said: “We are seeing patients present with dry cough, fever, night sweats and a lot of body pains.”
“Vaccinated people tend to do much better,” he added.
The expert warned that there had been a sharp rise in cases of the variant in the past 10 years, highlighting a probable cause of higher transmissibility.
Epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim said elsewhere during the briefing: “Higher transmissibility is likely.
“We are going to get more cases quickly, we are already seeing early evidence of this.”
As many as 38 countries have now reported cases of the Omicron variant, the UK has seen 150 new cases of the strain.
Infections in the UK have been confirmed in Scotland, Nottingham, Essex, Westminster and Wales.
Countries across the globe have tightened their border registrations in response to the recent surge.
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