Omicron: An emerging variant of concern

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases are now a concern worldwide and can evolve into a global health-care crisis or pandemic. Identification of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is considered a variant of concern has added fuel to the eternal flame of the global COVID-19 pandemic. There is an apparent sharp rise in cases of the new variant which is setting off alarm bells. The emergence of this new strain of the virus has taken a disproportionate toll in few countries including India. The need of the hour is to track the concerning rise of the new variant of the SARS-COV-2 causing COVID-19 and to prevent the reinfection.

Keywords

• omicron
• reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
• severe acute respiratory syndrome-2
• technical advisory group on virus evolution