COVID-19 Update: Omicron the viral transformer
The new variant, Omicron, was detected on Thanksgiving in South Africa. While definitely a variant of concern, it is not a reason to panic. Variants are expected as COVID continues to surge in waves globally. This strain has an exceptional number of mutations (32); however, it is likely the vaccine will provide protection against this strain.
Those previously infected with COVID may be at higher risk of reinfection because of the number of changes in this virus. This is true for Delta when you compare immunity from vaccination to natural infection. Boosting or reminding your body of the need to create antibodies against any variant of COVID is SUPER IMPORTANT right now.
Over the next two weeks we should know, 1) whether omicron is more transmissible (as delta was), and 2) how well the vaccine protects against serious illness.
Is omicron in the US?
Yes, we just haven’t found it yet. Only 3.6% of cases for COVID are sequenced which is better than before and still not great. Canada, Asia, and multiple European countries have confirmed cases.
What’s in a name?
Nu and Xi were passed over to avoid public confusion as Nu sounds like “new” and Xi is a common surname. The path to naming new strains roughly follows the Greek alphabet, though we will likely run out of letters soon resulting in viral fraternities and sororities .
What to do
GET YOUR BOOSTER. Soon teens may be eligible as well. Now is the perfect time as you will be protected quite well for Christmas. Vaccinating young people helps reduce the spread of COVID. However, it is still important to be careful around older adults and those with immune-compromising conditions (e.g., cancer). There is potential for vaccinated people to spread COVID, though less so than unvaccinated.
If you’re still on the fence
My dad said it best – “How many people do you know who died from the vaccine? No one. How many people do you know who have lost a loved one to COVID? Too many.” This is preventable. The vaccine works.
What to do if someone had COVID at Thanksgiving
We’ve had a surge (albeit sometimes minor) after every single holiday, so exposures at family gatherings are likely.
First – confirm the person with COVID had symptoms within two days of your exposure or took a test that was positive within two days of your exposure.
Isolate for 5 days following the exposure. Get tested between days 5-7, if negative you can go back into the world on day 7. If positive, then add 10 days from the onset of symptoms or from the date the positive test was taken.
All states still offer free PCR testing. In DSM, the Polk County Health Department has free kits and a drop box onsite. No appointment needed. Commercial pharmacies offer onsite testing, usually rapid, rapid PCR, and multi-day PCR at different price points. Urgent care clinics are not likely to test you unless symptomatic.
Resources
Omicron tracker - https://bnonews.com/index.php/2021/11/omicron-tracker/
Boosters - Three doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination are safe based on adverse events reported in electronic health records. The risk of severe adverse events after a 3rd dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is low and comparable to the risk after a 2nd dose. https://www.medrxiv.org/con.../10.1101/2021.11.05.21265961v1
Reduction in natural immune response - Despite the high prevalence and maintenance of Spike-specific T cells in Spike ‘high-responder’ convalescents at 12 months, T cell functionality, measured by cytokine expression after stimulation with Spike epitopes corresponding to VoC was severely affected. https://www.medrxiv.org/con.../10.1101/2021.11.08.21266035v1
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-021-00396-3
Reduced transmission/viral loads among vaccinated - When compared with unvaccinated age- and gender-matched cases infected with Delta (n = 36) or other variants (n = 75), Delta breakthroughs exhibited 38% lower VL than unvaccinated Delta cases (p <0.00001). https://www.medrxiv.org/con.../10.1101/2021.11.10.21266134v1
Evaluation of the BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine in Children 5 to 11 Years of Age | NEJM. Two 10 µg doses of BNT162b2 vaccine were safe, immunogenic, and efficacious in children 5–11 years of age. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2116298