Thanks to committed scientists around the world, we have learned a lot about #Omicron.
Here’s what we know* now; the good news and the bad news.👇
*A lot of this research is still pre-print - things may change
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#ScienceUpFirst
Here’s what we know* now; the good news and the bad news.👇
*A lot of this research is still pre-print - things may change
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#ScienceUpFirst
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has A LOT of mutations.
It’s got at least 36 mutations around the spike protein (which is the target of our vaccines)
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It’s got at least 36 mutations around the spike protein (which is the target of our vaccines)
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Omicron is more transmissible
- 2.6 to 3.7X more than Delta in vaccinated individuals (2).
- Shorter incubation period (3 days) than the OG strain (3, 4).
- Replicates 70x more than Delta in bronchus tissue (5). Could mean more virus shedding.
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- 2.6 to 3.7X more than Delta in vaccinated individuals (2).
- Shorter incubation period (3 days) than the OG strain (3, 4).
- Replicates 70x more than Delta in bronchus tissue (5). Could mean more virus shedding.
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Natural immunity is less effective. Reinfection rates are higher with Omicron.
Protection via previous infection has always been less predictable than vaccine protection. With Omicron, previous infections offer less protection from reinfection (6, 7).
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Protection via previous infection has always been less predictable than vaccine protection. With Omicron, previous infections offer less protection from reinfection (6, 7).
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“Mild” is misleading.
Experimental evidence found Omicron causes less lung damage (8, 9, 10) and lower rates of hospitalizations and deaths (10).
But because case numbers are soaring so high, hospitalization and ICU numbers are rising too (11, 12).
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Experimental evidence found Omicron causes less lung damage (8, 9, 10) and lower rates of hospitalizations and deaths (10).
But because case numbers are soaring so high, hospitalization and ICU numbers are rising too (11, 12).
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Kids and teens are now among the rising number of Canadians being hospitalized with COVID-19
Hospitalization numbers among children are rising in the US and in parts of Canada (13, 14).
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Hospitalization numbers among children are rising in the US and in parts of Canada (13, 14).
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Vaccines continue to protect against hospitalization.
Omicron is better at evading vaccine immune protection (2). This means 2 doses might not protect you from Omicron infection. But two doses are still likely to keep you out of hospital + ICU (15, 16)
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Omicron is better at evading vaccine immune protection (2). This means 2 doses might not protect you from Omicron infection. But two doses are still likely to keep you out of hospital + ICU (15, 16)
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Boosters increase protection.
A third dose broadens the antibody response against variants, including Omicron (17).
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A third dose broadens the antibody response against variants, including Omicron (17).
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We are not back at square one.
But with Omicron being highly infectious, and our health care systems already stretched - we need to continue layering protection.
Get boosted, mask up, ventilate, and minimize contacts where you can.
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#ScienceUpFirst
But with Omicron being highly infectious, and our health care systems already stretched - we need to continue layering protection.
Get boosted, mask up, ventilate, and minimize contacts where you can.
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#ScienceUpFirst
Questions about Omicron? Leave a reply or send us a DM.
Refs: tinyurl.com/SUFOmicron
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Refs: tinyurl.com/SUFOmicron
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