Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS‐CoV‐2: Concerns, challenges, and recent updates

Mohapatra, Ranjan K.; Tiwari, Ruchi; Sarangi, Ashish K.; Islam, Md. Rabiul; Chakraborty, Chiranjib; Dhama, Kuldeep

doi:10.1002/jmv.27633

Cited by 77 publications

(99 citation statements)

References 82 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…Burnout, emotional exhaustion, mental distress, depression and psychological stress have been linked to HCWs during this pandemic, and research continues to reveal high rates of infection [17]. In addition to patient care, HCWs must keep up with any developments in relation to emerging variants and their effects on clinical presentation, management, and measures of prevention—mainly vaccination and infection prevention practices[18,19]. As the Saudi Ministry of Health announced the first case of Omicron variant on Dec 1 st , 2021[20], we undertook this study to assess HCWs’ awareness about the SARS-CoV2 Omicron variant, their worry levels in relation to the different SARS-CoV2 variants, their perception of the effectiveness of the current vaccines, and other preventive measures to inhibit the spread of the Omicron variant or other future variants, as well as to assess their agreement with mandatory vaccination of the adult population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: exploring healthcare workers’ awareness and perception of vaccine effectiveness: a national survey during the first week of WHO variant alert

Temsah

Aljamaan²,

Alenezi

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: As COVID-19 Omicron variant spread in several countries, healthcare workers' (HCWs) perceptions of vaccine effectiveness, booster and worries warrant reassessment. Methods: Online questionnaire among HCWs in Saudi Arabia (KSA) was collected between Dec 1-6, 2021, aiming to assess their Omicron variant's perceptions, worries, and booster-vaccine advocacy. Results: Among the 1285 HCWs participants in the study, two-thirds were females, 41% were nurses,46.4% were physicians, and 50% worked in tertiary care hospitals. Vaccination was perceived to be the most effective way to prevent the spread of Omicron variant and future variants by 66.9%. The respondents perceived social distancing (78%), universal masking (77.8%), and avoiding unnecessary travel (71.4%), slightly superior to vaccination to prevent COVID-19 variants spread. Of the respondents, 99.5% received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Regarding the booster dose, 96% either received it or planned to receive it once they are eligible. 57.7% of the respondents agreed that Omicron could cause a new COVID-19 wave worldwide, 45.9% agreed it may cause another COVID-19 wave in Saudi Arabia and 46.1% indicated the possibility of another lockdown. Overall, the HCWs worry level of the Omicron variant correlated significantly and strongly with their perception of the effectiveness of vaccination and preventive measures. Male HCWs had a significant agreement with mandatory vaccination of all eligible adult populations while HCWs who are unwilling to receive the vaccine had a strong disagreement with mandatory vaccination. Conclusions: The current study was conducted in the first week of Omicron variant discovery in KSA and only two-thirds of HCWs felt that vaccination is the best option to prevent the variant spread, indicating the need to further motivation campaigns for vaccination and booster doses education among HCWs. HCWs had a strong belief in non-pharmacologic interventions that should be encouraged and augmented. It is important to further study and enhance coping strategies for HCWs as we move through the third year of the pandemic with more potential variants, to protect HCWs from fatigue and burnout.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: exploring healthcare workers’ awareness and perception of vaccine effectiveness: a national survey during the first week of WHO variant alert

Temsah

Aljamaan²,

Alenezi

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…However, it may continue to exist as recurrent disease 13 . We continue to face threats and challenges posed by other new variants and unknown superviruses 14 . As such, we must actively develop appropriate and continuously optimized responses for the current and rapidly evolving fifth wave of the Omicron pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But it is dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant or that we are in the endgame.” 26 There are still a number of other novel coronavirus variants that continue to emerge such as IHU (B.1.640.2) with 46 mutations. In addition, there are also combinations of two existing VOCs, such as Delmicron (a combination of Omicron and the most lethal variant Delta) which have yet to be scientifically confirmed 14 . The constant mutation of this virus and the unknown potential of new virus properties seem to make the new Omicron pandemic wave unpredictable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 13 We continue to face threats and challenges posed by other new variants and unknown superviruses. 14 As such, we must actively develop appropriate and continuously optimized responses for the current and rapidly evolving fifth wave of the Omicron pandemic. On a positive note, we wonder is it possible that a new strain may “signal the end of COVID‐19.” However, accurate conclusions about the true threat of Omicron will take weeks to obtain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, there are also combinations of two existing VOCs, such as Delmicron (a combination of Omicron and the most lethal variant Delta) which have yet to be scientifically confirmed. 14 The constant mutation of this virus and the unknown potential of new virus properties seem to make the new Omicron pandemic wave unpredictable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Turning point: A new global COVID‐19 wave or a signal of the beginning of the end of the global COVID‐19 pandemic?

Ding

Jiang

Xiong

et al. 2022

Immunity Inflam & Disease

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A new variant named Omicron (B.1.1.529), first identified in South Africa, has become of considerable interest to the World Health Organization. This variant differs from the other known major variants, as it carries a large number of unusual mutations, particularly in the spinous process protein and receptor binding domains. Some specific mutation sites make it vaccine resistant, highly infectious, and highly pathogenic. The world fears that the Omicron variant could be even more harmful than the previous major variant, given that it has emerged amid fierce competition to trigger a new global pandemic peak as infections in South Africa rise. However, some epidemiological evidence has emerged that the Omicron variant may produce milder patient symptoms. We speculate if the virulence of the Omicron variant will diminish as transmissibility increases, thereby signaling the beginning of the end for the global COVID‐19 pandemic. Based on this view, we make recommendations for COVID‐19 mitigation in the present and future. However, it will take a few weeks to determine the true threat posed by the Omicron variant and we need to be fully prepared for future outbreaks, regardless of their severity.

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Challenges of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant and Its Lineages: A Global Perspective

Mohapatra¹,

Ramana

Verma

et al. 2022

ChemBioChem

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Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS‐CoV‐2: Concerns, challenges, and recent updates

Cited by 77 publications

References 82 publications

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: exploring healthcare workers’ awareness and perception of vaccine effectiveness: a national survey during the first week of WHO variant alert

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: exploring healthcare workers’ awareness and perception of vaccine effectiveness: a national survey during the first week of WHO variant alert

Turning point: A new global COVID‐19 wave or a signal of the beginning of the end of the global COVID‐19 pandemic?

Challenges of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant and Its Lineages: A Global Perspective

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