Omicron’s sub-variant BA.2 spreading faster than originally thought say scientists
A new study on the Coronavirus suggests that the new sub-variant of the rapidly spreading variant Omicron is spreading faster than the original form of Omicron. Not only this, if someone has previously been omicron with mild symptoms, then they will not have much immunity to the new form. According to a report, this new research has also raised doubts about the hopes of Omicron bringing an end to the corona pandemic. The general public is tired of the Covid restrictions and there is a growing trend of people making announcements to take Covid 19 lightly like influenza. Vaccines are also easily available and deaths are also decreasing as compared to earlier.
According to the report of researchers from the University of California, how many antibodies are made in the body from Omicron, depends on how severe the disease became. Most people who have received the vaccine do not become seriously ill from Omicron, but the mild form of Omicron does not protect against the risks of existing viruses and future viruses.
It has been told in a study that compared to booster shot, natural infection provides one-third protection against infection.
The report stated, “Our results suggest that the immunity provided by Omicron may not be effective in protecting against other infections in the future.”
The researchers also stressed the need for vaccine boosters to enhance immunity because natural infections alone may not work alone against recurrent infections or new variants.
More contagious
In another study, it has been revealed that the second generation variant of Omicron is more infectious than its original form.
It has been found that 39% of people infected with Omicron’s second generation virus BA.2 also infect others in their homes. Whereas from the original version of Omicron, this rate was only 29%. This came out according to a study done on data collected from 8,541 households in Denmark between December and January.
The researchers emphasized the benefits of the vaccine, saying that those who did not take the vaccine were at higher risk of both types of infection.
The results of this research make the report released by the UK Health Agency more reliable. It was said in this report that the subvariant of Omicron is more infectious than its rapidly spreading original variant.
The World Health Organization said last month, “While BA.1 infections are high in most places in the world, recent trends suggest that BA.2 is spreading rapidly in some countries such as India, South Africa, the UK and Denmark.”
