key: cord-0889882-uvqnkqul authors: Mohapatra, Ranjan K.; Sarangi, Ashish K.; Kandi, Venkataramana; Azam, Mohammad; Tiwari, Ruchi; Dhama, Kuldeep title: Omicron (B.1.1.529 variant of SARS‐CoV‐2); an emerging threat: Current global scenario date: 2022-01-05 journal: J Med Virol DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27561 sha: 2326c713631ec4f82fd7bc2319e26534e7246176 doc_id: 889882 cord_uid: uvqnkqul The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its various emerging variants, is posing very high health threats with its continued pandemic waves with 5.5 millions deaths out of 272 million confirmed cases reported worldwide as of December 17, 2021, and recently again a rapid surge of cases is being seen at global level. 1-41-4 After the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant of concerns (VOCs), the most recent B.1.1.529 variant (named as Omicron) classified as VOC by WHO on 26 November 2021, is creating alarming situations worldwide. The first case of Omicron was documented from Botswana, South Africa in early November month, and within a very short time this variant has now spread rapidly to 108 countries with nearly 1.5 lakh reported cases and 26 deaths as on December 25, 2021. 5-95-9 This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. To the Editor, The Coronavirus disease , caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its various emerging variants, is posing very high health threats with its continued pandemic waves with 5.5 millions deaths out of 272 million confirmed cases reported worldwide as of December 17, 2021 , and recently again a rapid surge of cases is being seen at global level. [1] [2] [3] [4] After the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant of concerns (VOCs), the most recent B.1.1.529 variant (named as Omicron) is classified as VOC by WHO on November 26, 2021, is creating alarming situations worldwide. The first case of Omicron was documented from Botswana, South Africa in early November month, and within a very short time this variant has now spread rapidly to 108 countries with nearly 1.5 lakh reported cases and 26 deaths as on December 25, 2021. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Various studies are being carried out to investigate the theories and hypothesis underlying the emergence of the Omicron variant such as several mutations might have accumulated in chronically infected persons, lesser-studied human population, in animal reservoirs, diverse evolutionary mechanisms, intrahost adaptation, various immune pressures, insufficient vaccination rates, larger population of immunocompromised persons, and other predisposing factors that could provide an ideal situation for the emergence of newer variants. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] Omicron is the most mutated SARS-CoV-2 variant possessing 50 mutations in its genome including 30 mutations in its spike (S) protein alone, owing to which it gained higher transmissibility and partial resistance to immunity induced by currently available COVID-19 vaccines and antibody-based therapies. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] The omicron variant is detected by RT-PCR, 22 however genomic sequencing is required for confirmation. Preliminary evidence also suggests an increased risk of reinfection in COVID-19 recovered patients as well as vaccine breakthrough in vaccinated individuals with this variant. Altogether, the high genetic changes will affect virus characteristics such as of acquiring higher transmissibility, disease severity, immune escape from vaccine and immunotherapies based protection and impeding diagnostics. Therefore, it is highly recommended to enhance the global surveillance and sequencing efforts to understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants with a particular focus on Omicron. Until now, Omicron has been reported to cause asymptomatic infection or a milder disease with earliest common symptoms such as sore throat, headache, running nose, body ache, fever, and fatigue/weakness. 23 In South Africa, Omicron has 80% lower risk of hospitalization as per report. Cases of infections with Omicron are on rise but fewer hospital admissions are observed as compared to delta variant in South Africa. 24 The increasing positive electric charge in the crucial regions of S protein of Omicron may facilitate viral infection of the host cell. 25 Moreover, this emerging variant does not raise significantly the risk of severity and death in vaccinated people, 26 however, it is too early to conclude. As the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants were associated with consecutive waves of SARS-CoV-2 infections across the entire world with high surge of COVID-19 cases and associated deaths seen during first half of this year, so it is expected that the world may face a new wave of pandemic due to Omicron in the coming time owing to its very rapid spread in many countries. 27 Now the COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly in South Africa and the early doubling time is higher than that of the previous three waves of pandemic. 8, 28, 29 As on December 24, the UK reported maximum Omicron cases (26,447) followed by the USA (4614), Denmark (2001), South Africa (1643), and Australia (859) while cases are also increasing on daily basis in other many countries. 7 As per the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME, the USA), world will witness 300 crore Omicron cases globally in next 2 months however, the infection-fatality rate will be lower than the Delta variant. 30 Now, Omicron has become the dominant variant and found in more than 70% of the samples collected in the United States, and it may likely displace Delta as the dominant variant in the coming days. 31 So, the international responses towards Omicron have been raised as compared to other previous variants. Due to the seasonal influenza (already been reported), the coming winter will be more challenging and will bring triple respiratory virus threat (Omicron, Delta, and influenza). 31 lead to more significant escape from immune protection. 20 In between this, the vaccine vendors have also announced their plans to make new versions of their COVID-19 vaccines tailored to Omicron. 15 In this context, Moderna and Pfizer have declared to produce specific vaccines for omicron within 100 days. 26 Booster doses are being recommended to increase the protective potentials of COVID-19 vaccines and preventing health impacts of infection with Omicron variant as well as other variants. 33, 34 There is also a need to design and validate potent commercial immunoassays for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike and RBD antibodies against the newly emerging and highly mutated variants such as Omicron. 35 positive after attending college annual function. 41 Recently, 16 students (of VIII, IX, X, XI class) of Maha school at Ghansoli in Mumbai have also tested positive. 42 As the classes are started in offline mode, so, COVID-19 cases are rising in several educational institutes. 43 So, obeying COVID-19 guidelines to the desired levels by students in schools and colleges are really challenging in Indian school settings. 44 Moreover, such students have not taken COVID-19 vaccines yet. Under these situations, the Omicron variant may infect younger populations. The government, authorities, and parents must be careful on this issue to protect students amid spread and rising cases of this newly emerged variant. This new variant (Omicron) has now started its game and may potentially circulate to larger population owing to its higher transmissibility and might be in future become responsible for another wave (the so-called third wave) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid such high threats of the micron variants, urgent and utmost priority need to be given for enhancing genomic surveillance, strictly implement the recommended prevention and control strategies including testing and isolation, wearing of face mask, hand hygiene, social distancing, speeding up vaccination programs and opting for booster doses for all, developing highly efficacious vaccines, attempting for designing multivariant (multiple antigen-based), and mutation-proof vaccines, and potent immunotherapies, so as to limit the dangers of Omicron and other variants well before facing the surge in COVID-19 cases as third wave in the country. As per initial data, cases of Omicron infected patients in India are mainly males as compared to females. Indian government has implemented strict measures for the travelers from South Africa and risk countries, and imposed necessary bans on international flights. Due to this new variant, some countries quickly closed their borders for foreign travelers, while other countries enforced quarantine for the travellers coming from South Africa and neighboring countries. 29 After the death of an Omicron-infected patient confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the UK announced a third COVID-19 vaccine dose for their adults. 26 The UK government has also announced wearing of face masks again as compulsory on public transport and in shops and schools. People contacted with an Omicron infected patient will be required to be isolated for 14 days. The government has expanded vaccine booster program to people under 40 years of age. 45 The currently available COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against the Omicron, however may provide some protection against Omicron. The general public has to take up full course of vaccination along with booster dose. 45 It is highly recommended to develop more efficacious and protective vaccines at global level. The vaccination drive programs must be strictly implemented towards obtaining herd immunity. World Health Organization also reminded the individuals to take measures (physical distancing, hand hygiene, wearing well-fitting masks, avoiding crowded spaces, getting vacci- Coronavirus disease 2019-COVID-19 Computational investigations of three maindrugs and their comparison with synthesized compounds as potentinhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro): DFT, QSAR, moleculardocking, and in silico toxicity analysis The recent challenges of highly contagious COVID-19; causing respiratory infections: symptoms, diagnosis, transmission, possible vaccines, animal models and immunotherapy Dashboard-Up to date data on pandemic SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Tracking of variants Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Epidemiological update: Omicron variant of concern (VOC)-data as of Hindustan Times Omicron spread: 108 countries and over 1.5 lakh patients in a month Detection of highly muted coronavirus variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) is triggering the alarm for South Asian countries: associated risk factors and preventive actions Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2, a global urgent public health alert! Persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection and intra-host evolution in association with advanced HIV infection. MedRxiv (preprint) Where did 'weird' Omicron come from? Emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Omicron (B.1.1.529)-highlights Africa's research capabilities, but exposes major knowledge gaps, inequities of vaccine distribution, inadequacies in global COVID-19 response and control efforts Omicron puts scientists on red alert SARS-CoV-2 Omicron has extensive but incomplete escape of Pfizer BNT162b2 elicited neutralization and requires ACE2 for infection Omicron (B.1.1.529): Infectivity, vaccine breakthrough, and antibody resistance Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant: unique features and their impact on pre-existing antibodies Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by sera from BNT162b2 or Corona vaccine recipients The significant immune escape of pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 Variant Omicron Detection of Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has created panic among the people across the world: what should we do right now PCR performance in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern Covid-19: Runny nose, headache, and fatigue are commonest symptoms of omicron, early data show Covid-19: Omicron is causing more infections but fewer hospital admissions than delta, South African data show SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) is in a rising trend of mutations increasing the positive electric charge in crucial regions of the spike protein S Omicron variant and booster COVID-19 vaccines SARS-CoV-2 variants and ending the COVID-19 pandemic Department of Health, Government of South Africa. COVID-19 Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant: a new chapter in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet Next two months to see 300 crore Omicron cases globally: IHME; 2021 Winter of Omicron-the evolving COVID-19 pandemic Covid-19: Do vaccines work against omicron-and other questions answered Covid-19: Omicron and the need for boosters Covid 19: US cases rise amid omicron fears but booster shots offer protection, experts say Commercial immunoassays for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike and RBD antibodies: urgent call for validation against new and highly mutated variants Broadly neutralizing antibodies overcome SARS-CoV-2 Omicron antigenic shift Infectivity, vaccine breakthrough, and antibody resistance. ArXiv The Indian Express. 50% of Omicron cases were double jabbed, masks and surveillance must for breaking transmission chain +india&ei=Ce7FYa-pDr6G4-EPjbyT8A0&oq=covid-10+vaccination +graph+india&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIFCAAQzQI6 BwgAEEcQsAM6CggAEEcQsAMQyQNKBAhBGABKBAhG-GABQnQlY2RZgu0loAXACeACAAaYCiAGXCpIBAzItNZgBAKA-BAcgBCMABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz 53 students of Govt School in Odisha's Sundargarh Test COVID Positive News 18, 54 students of Odisha Medical College down with COVID-19 16 students of Maha school test COVID-19 positive Covid cases on a rise in educational institutes of Odisha COVID-19, WHO guidelines, pedagogy, and respite Covid-19: Omicron may be more transmissible than other variants and partly resistant to existing vaccines, scientists fear Omicron is bad but the global response is worse Preparing for Omicron as a covid veteran Omicron: a failure to act with a global focus will continue the proliferation of new variants of covid-19 How to translate the knowledge of COVID-19 into the prevention of Omicron variants