What Does This Imply?
A brand new variant of COVID-19, referred to as Omicron, has been recognized. The variant was reported to the WHO on November 26, 2021 by the South American authorities. The variant was not too long ago detected within the United States. The optimistic case was reported in California, from a traveler who got here from South Africa.
Signs
Thus far, the signs of the virus have been labeled as “extraordinarily delicate”. One affected person mentioned he simply felt extraordinarily drained and had a gentle headache. One other reported a scratchy throat. Thus far not one of the sufferers have reported the conventional COVID signs, corresponding to a lack of style or scent, or a cough. Extra analysis is being performed to study what signs, if any, are attributed to the brand new variant.
The brand new variant has folks questioning in regards to the effectiveness of the vaccine. Will it work in opposition to the variant? Right here’s what we all know:
Vaccine Effectiveness
For the reason that variant is so new, the effectiveness of the vaccine in opposition to the virus is unclear. Early findings counsel the variant could also be extra transmissible and in a position to evade the physique’s immune response, with or with out a vaccine. Extra data ought to be out there inside the subsequent few weeks, nevertheless Moderna’s Chief Medical Officer reported {that a} reformulated vaccine that protects in opposition to Omicron can be out there early subsequent yr.
How will you finest shield your self from this variant? The most effective reply is that the outdated recommendation nonetheless stands.
Safety From Omicron
One of the simplest ways to shield your self from the brand new variant is to proceed training your protected well being habits. This contains sporting masks, washing your arms, and persevering with to socially distance your self. Medical doctors additionally advocate getting vaccinated, as a result of even when this variant lessens the pictures effectiveness, it is rather unlikely that the vaccine can be rendered fully ineffective.
As of proper now, President Joe Biden says this new variant is a “trigger for concern, not a trigger for panic”. The CDC is recommending all American adults get their booster pictures. The World Well being Group has warned that the world threat posed by the unfold of the variant is “very excessive”, and that every one international locations ought to do what they’ll to guard themselves from it. This may more than likely imply extra international locations closing their borders and proscribing journey. Analysis is being performed to study extra in regards to the variant, and the effectiveness of the vaccine in opposition to it.
As all the time this can be very essential to do the whole lot in your energy to maintain you and people round you wholesome. Well being + Wellness provides free COVID testing to all college students and employees.
