A thread well worth reading on the new variant:
Highlights:
Omicron does not originate from Delta but ancestor from mid 2020
Maybe accumulated mutations for >1 yr before detection (perhaps) or accelerated development in immune compromised individual that couldn’t clear it
1/
Highlights:
Omicron does not originate from Delta but ancestor from mid 2020
Maybe accumulated mutations for >1 yr before detection (perhaps) or accelerated development in immune compromised individual that couldn’t clear it
1/
https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1464353224417325066
The constellation of mutations suggest it is likely more immune evasive…
(but how much more is difficult to say - particularly with Vax plus the large number of exposures to Delta over the past 6+ months, our immune systems may be getting sufficiently trained)
2/
(but how much more is difficult to say - particularly with Vax plus the large number of exposures to Delta over the past 6+ months, our immune systems may be getting sufficiently trained)
2/
Many of the mutations that are accumulated have been seen among variants that have a more difficult time being neutralized by our immune response. And among variants that are more infectious.
More data is needed to confirm the latter.
3/
More data is needed to confirm the latter.
3/
A lot of people are asking if the mutations will render it undetectable to tests.
A majority of the mutations are in Spike protein. Both rapid tests and PCR tests generally detect one or more different proteins. So tests (rapid and PCR) should all still work!
4/
A majority of the mutations are in Spike protein. Both rapid tests and PCR tests generally detect one or more different proteins. So tests (rapid and PCR) should all still work!
4/
That said, there is an S gene dropout for some of the PCR tests. This is a silver lining that makes it easier to detect. If you see two genes positive and S negative on PCR, then good chance it’s Omicron today.
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