When was the COVID-19 Omicron variant first identified in South Africa?

The B. 1.1. 529 (omicron) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified on November 25, 2021, in Gauteng province, South Africa.

When was the Omicron variant of COVID-19 detected in the U.S.?

The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant, first detected in November 2021, was responsible for a surge in U.S. infections with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, during December 2021–January 2022 (1).

Where was the COVID-19 IHU variant discovered?

The IHU variant, officially known as B.1.640.2, was named by researchers who discovered it in a male patient at the Méditerranée Infection University Hospital Institute (IHU) in France.

Has the omicron COVID-19 variant peaked in South Africa?

The country says one city hospital's data shows a decrease in severity and mortality during this latest variant's outbreak. Officials in South Africa are reporting the country may have passed its peak for COVID-19.

Does the Omicron COVID-19 variant cause more severe disease?

Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants. Preliminary data suggest that Omicron may cause more mild disease, although some people may still have severe disease, need hospitalization, and could die from the infection with this variant.

Maharashtra Reports First Cases Of New Omicron Sub-Variants

Should I be worried about getting the COVID-19 Omicron variant?

While some have suggested that most people will eventually get the coronavirus, you should do your best to avoid infection with Omicron—there is no justification for deliberately getting infected so you have what you think will be a mild illness that will provide you with more immunity going forward, the doctors say.

Is there a difference in spread between the Omicron and Delta COVID-19 variant?

The Omicron variant spreads more easily than earlier variants of the virus that cause COVID-19, including the Delta variant. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others.

Is the Omicron variant causing long COVID-19 cases?

Experts say that nothing is certain regarding Omicron and long COVID, mainly because the variant roared onto the scene so suddenly in December that too little time has passed to detect a strong Omicron signal in the ongoing stream of long COVID cases.

Does the COVID-19 booster vaccine protect against the Omicron variant?

In adult populations, the protection conferred by two vaccine doses against Covid-19 wanes (more against milder infection than against severe disease) and is lower for omicron than for delta. However, a booster dose increases protection, including protection against omicron.

Is lower back pain associated with the omicron COVID-19 variant?

A report from South Africa's largest health insurer found that a sore throat, congestion, dry cough and lower back pain ranked among the most common early omicron symptoms.

When was the first human coronavirus discovered?

Scientists first identified a human coronavirus in 1965. It caused a common cold. Later that decade, researchers found a group of similar human and animal viruses and named them after their crown-like appearance. Seven coronaviruses can infect humans.

Can you get COVID-19 from sex?

All close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with an infected person can expose you to the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — whether you're engaged in sexual activity or not.

Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?

If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.

Is Omicron less severe than the Delta COVID-19 variant?

The omicron coronavirus variant causes less severe disease than the delta strain even in those who are unvaccinated or who haven't had a prior Covid-19 infection, a study from South Africa's Western Cape province showed.

Are there different variants of COVID-19 in the US?

SARS-CoV-2 is constantly changing, and new variants of the virus are expected to occur. In early 2021, the Alpha variant emerged, followed by the Delta variant later that summer. In late 2021 and throughout early 2022, the Omicron variant swept across the country and continues to be the predominant variant circulating in the United States.

What are some symptoms of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19?

Katherine Poehling, an infectious disease specialist and member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, told NBC News in January that a cough, congestion, runny nose and fatigue appear to be prominent symptoms with the omicron variant.

Do the COVID-19 vaccines protect against delta variant?

While research suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are slightly less effective against the delta variant, the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines still appear to provide protection against severe COVID-19.

Should the booster shot be the same as the first two shots?

>
The FDA has authorized three vaccine boosters — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson — and determined that it is safe for individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster or additional dose that is a different brand than the initial dose or doses.

Can you get the Delta variant if you've had the COVID-19 vaccine?

Having two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine remains the most effective way of ensuring protection against the Delta variant first identified in India, preliminary research has found.

How long are people experiencing Omicron COVID-19 symptoms?

“It has become apparent that omicron generally leads to milder symptoms for the most part,” Dr. Bahmanpour says. “And symptoms usually last 5 to 10 days, which is shorter than previous variants, which could last up to 14 days.”

Can the Omicron variant of COVID-19 cause severe croup in children?

The Omicron COVID-19 variant can cause croup in young children, including severe cases that require hospitalization and intensive care, a new study shows.

Is the Delta variant more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19?

People infected with the Delta variant have roughly 1,000 times more copies of the virus in their respiratory tract than those infected with the original strain of COVID-19. Those who are fully vaccinated are much less likely than those who are unvaccinated to contract and spread the Delta variant, but it does happen.

Is Delta more transmissible than the Alpha COVID-19 variant?

It's estimated that Delta caused more than twice as many infections as previous variants—in Connecticut, it was estimated to have been 80 to 90% more transmissible than the Alpha variant.

Are the symptoms of the Delta COVID-19 variant different from the original COVID-19?

The symptoms of the delta variant appear to be the same as the original version of COVID-19. However, physicians are seeing people getting sicker quicker, especially for younger people.

Should I be concerned about having the J&J COVID-19 vaccine?

The FDA also attached a warning to the J&J vaccine in July, after reports linked the vaccine to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. For both warnings, the agency said the incidence was very rare, and the benefits of the vaccine still outweighed the risks.