Omicron targets upper airways in pediatrics, elderly and unvaccinated population.

ABSTRACT

Omicron, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 variant, has spread around the globe, causing dramatic increases in infection rates. Viral mutant antigens were responsible for the strong infectivity, fast replication, and high reinfection rates reported from all ages. Omicron causes clinical symptoms mostly related to the upper respiratory tract with minimal symptoms from the lower respiratory tract besides an urgent presentation of cases that resembled a fatal illness, epiglottitis. Not to mention the long coronavirus disease 2019, which rises exponentially in the Omicrons era. Apparently, the disease has a less aggressive course than earlier variants with lower death rates; however, the infection is not trivial. Severe infection was raised among pediatrics, unvaccinated, and the elderly. Complete vaccine protection is urgently needed to protect the most vulnerable community members. Additionally, self-protective strategies such as wearing a mask and safe social distancing cannot be omitted.