OMICRON-THE VARIANT OF CONCERN (VoC): A RAPID REVIEW

ABSTRACT

A new variant of coronavirus B.1.1.529. appeared on the scene, when discovered by the researchers in South Africa on Nov 24.2021. It is a heavily mutated variant of coronavirus discovered thus far with over 50+ mutations with 32 mutations over the spike protein itself. Spike proteins help the virus to bind to the bodily receptors of humans to gain entry inside. In comparison to the delta variant, which had nine mutations, it means that Omicron has better chances of evading the host immunity and is also more transmissible. And rightly so, it has been declared as a variant of concern(V°C) by the WHO. The presence of S-gene is of the determinants for the detection of the virus. But omicron seems to have missed this gene- being called as S-gene dropout or S-gene target failure (S- spike glycoprotein).