December 24, 2024

Omicron: A new COVID virus variant

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The Himachal Herald, Shimla 

The Government Spokesperson said that Omicron is a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that has recently been reported from South Africa. He said that Omicron is likely to spread to more countries including India. He added that Omicron shows a large number of mutations that are associated with increased infectivity, and the sudden rise in number of positive cases of COVID. Due to increased infection and transmission, the World Health Organization has declared Omicron as a Variant of Concern (VoC).

The Government Spokesperson informed that the most common symptoms of the Omicron are fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms include sore throat, headache, aches, pains, diarrhoea, and rash on skin. He further informed that RT-PCR is the most accepted and commonly used method for the diagnosis of Omicron virus.

He further informed that the Government is monitoring the situation closely and is issuing suitable guidelines from time to time. He said that the COVID vaccines can offer protection against the severe disease caused by Omicorn virus and so the vaccination with the available vaccines is important. He appealed to the public that whosoever have not received the COVID vaccine till now, should get themselves vaccinated at the earliest.

The Government Spokesperson further appealed to the public to follow COVID appropriate behaviour like wearing mask, washing hand frequently, maintain social distance, maintain good 1 and take both doses of vaccines (if not yet vaccinated).