The Omicron variant: premiering a new season on world television

One thing that the OTT channels have inculcated in our viewing habit is to wait for the next season. Similarly, when South Africa declared the omicron variant, it was like the virus presenting a new season to all of us. Somehow every new season of the virus has been more lethal than the earlier one. The story started with Alpha and gradually moved on to Delta creating havoc the world over. The omicron variant has come with a lot of new features that are similar to the common cold.

By now every person has become an expert on the omicron variant and its symptoms. The way this virus beats the Delta variant is that it spreads three times faster. But it seems that the common man has not learned from his mistakes. People can be still seen crowding marketplaces and shopping malls; the masks are down again and washing hands seems a thing of the past.

The authorities are trying their best to stall the spread of the virus. Lockdowns have been announced by state governments. Shopping mall timings have been curtailed while cinema halls and sports stadiums have been shut down. Eating joints have been instructed to operate at 50% capacity.

What do we know about the omicron variant?

The covid numbers are increasing at an exponential rate in major metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata. The government and the health authorities have already sounded the alarm bells. The reason is that they don’t want to be caught unaware.

Going by the numbers the countries that are seeing the maximum impact are the US, Britain, France, Denmark, Australia. Omicron has now reached at least 113 countries. As per a New York Times report the world is recording an average of nearly 1.5 million new cases every day. On the other hand, South Africa where the omicron variant started has reported that it may have already seen the peak. That’s good news for the world that has seen a resurgence of cases since December 2021.

The virus has mutated and as a result, omicron is less severe than the earlier versions of the covid virus. This combined with the fact the population on this planet has developed high levels of immunity (either through vaccination or earlier infection) is resulting in fewer hospitalizations. A study released on December 21^st by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases in Johannesburg has found that omicron cases are 80% less likely to get hospitalized. The study has taken into consideration factors like prior infection and vaccination status. A study published in Britain on Dec 22^nd has also come out with similar findings.

The symptoms of the omicron variant

The reason the omicron variant seems less virulent is that it affects the upper respiratory tract rather than the lungs. Covid infections start in the nose and spread down the throat. If the virus reaches the lungs, the infection is severe. The Delta variant impacted the lungs and thus the casualties were very high. As the omicron variant survives in the upper respiratory tract it is three-time more contagious than the Delta variant.

The symptoms of the omicron variant are quite similar to the common cold; Sore throat, cough, running nose, body ache, a low-grade fever. Few patients have even reported nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. People suffering from the omicron variant have been asked to quarantine at home for at least 10 days though, in the USA, people have been asked to stay indoors for 7 days.

How is the world tackling the new variant?

Countries that have already immunized a major chunk of their population like the USA or a Western European one are already giving a booster shot to their citizens. The developing nations are increasing the pace of vaccination. People have been advised once again to follow the covid protocols – masking, avoiding crowded places, washing hands regularly. Lockdown is back and offices have resorted to WFH.

Developing nations like India have started a booster dose for people with comorbidities aged 60 + along with healthcare professionals. At the same time, the government has started vaccinations for the younger ones in the age bracket of 15-17. In just two days nearly 10 million have been given the first dose.

Covid-19 is in love with my family

I don’t know how but the virus that originated in Wuhan, China has got my address of Gurgaon. Even though it has never expressed its love explicitly but I am sure it’s in deep love with me. I was one of the very first victims of Covid-19 way back in June 2020.

Those were the initial days of the Covid-19 and people suffering from the virus were advised 2 weeks of quarantine. One could step out of the house only after being tested negative in the RT-PCR test. Imagine my plight where I tested positive even after 18 days of quarantine. The quarantine was prolonged by another week taking it to 24 days within the four walls of my bedroom. I took inspiration from Lord Rama. If he could spend 14 years in Vanvaas then why can’t I spend 24 days of isolation in a room?

And since I tested positive the rest of my family members also had to be tested. And this when every RT-PCR test cost Rs 2400/-. I remember spending more than Rs 20,000/- only in getting tested leave aside the actual expenses on the treatment. One by one all my family members became a victim of Covid-19 and by December 2020 our family quota got over.

A second visit of Covid-19

However, the eldest and the youngest in my family escaped from the clutches of Covid-19. This was a big win-win for us as my mom who is 76 years was suffering from a lot of comorbidities. On the other hand, my son who is the youngest spent one full year in Pune and survived the Covid wave. This despite Pune being the hub of Covid-19 during the initial year.

But our happiness was short-lived! In April 2021 when the country was witnessing the maximum impact of the Delta variant, my son and my mom tested positive. It was with God’s blessings that they came out unharmed. But the virus declared a bonus for my family. My 24/7 help who got Covid-19 along with me in June 2020 got infected the second time when my mother had the same in 2021.

Omicron visits my son

So much is the love of Covid-19 for my family that my son who is pursuing his higher studies in the US in the state of North Carolina got infected with the latest variant. It was my son’s first-semester break at the University. He had planned to visit New York with his friends to celebrate the Christmas and New Year break.

Alas, the virus had some other plans. He played a spoilsport and ensured that my son and his friends stay indoors by infecting the whole gang. So here was my son and his friends, each one of them quarantined in their rooms with Netflix to give a company and home delivery to satiate their appetite.

My wife who worries a lot like all moms was quite patient this time. The reason was that my son already had a prior infection and also had taken his double-dose vaccinations. As a result, the omicron variant had only a mild effect on my son. He had a sore throat and a low-grade fever for 3-4 days. My son has recovered well and is now out of quarantine.

Let us hope that the omicron variant sounds the death knell for the covid-19 and the world will witness a 2022 free from the virus.

You can read more such stories on my blog:

The Quarantine story of the author infected by the coronavirus

The irreparable loss that families are still trying to cope with

Know more about the omicron variant by clicking on the following link:

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-sees-more-evidence-that-omicron-affects-upper-respiratory-tract-2022-01-04/