Omicron fact sheet

Omicron fact sheet

The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, formally known as B.1.1.529, was first reported from southern Africa to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 24 November 2021.

This variant has about 30 mutations on the spike protein, which has led to concerns about how easily it spreads and the severity of illness it causes.

Omicron was first detected in Botswana, but it is now believed that the variant may already have been present in Europe before the first cases were reported in southern Africa.

It seems reinfection with Omicron is more likely, as it has presumably developed the ability to evade natural immunity from previous infection. Omicron is also spreading much faster than the Delta variant did. According to early analysis, Omicron is spreading twice as fast and is more than three times as likely to reinfect people than other variants.

At this stage, it appears that Omicron is associated with cold- or flu-type symptoms and it is not possible to distinguish between this and other variants based on the clinical picture alone. As with the other variants, some individuals are asymptomatic.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test can distinguish between Omicron and the other variants. According to the WHO, the management of Omicron is not different from Delta and the other virus lineages.

There are early indications that Omicron causes less severe illness than previous strains, with hospital admissions not increasing at an alarming rate. However, drawing conclusions based on small, early reports is premature. The relative mildness of disease may reflect the younger age of individuals impacted at this stage of the surge, and since there is often a delay between symptom onset and respiratory complications, the scope of clinical severity may not be evident for several weeks.

There is still a lot that is not known about Omicron, including whether it affects higher-risk populations, such as the elderly or the immunocompromised, as was the case with previous variants. In some countries children are accounting for the highest rates of reported COVID-19 infections but it is not yet known if there is a greater risk for more severe symptoms or if it will affect children in other ways than with previous variants of the virus.

Basic health protocols such as the wearing of masks, regular washing or sanitising of hands and avoiding crowded and closed spaces can reduce the risk of COVID-19. Vaccination is still thought to give the best protection against severe disease. Research is being done to determine the effect of current available vaccines on the new variant.

All Medihelp members have access to benefits for COVID-19 vaccination and treatment as PMB (prescribed minimum benefits), which will not affect the available benefits in their respective Medihelp benefit options.

You are always welcome to visit Medihelp’s COVID-19-page for access to comprehensive information about the virus, vaccination, treatment and a host of related topics.