SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant: A next phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic and a call to arms for system sciences and precision medicine

Abstract

Since early 2020, coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID‐19) infection pandemic/endemic is constantly surprising health experts because of continuous variations in the structures of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in the form of newly emerged variants. Such mutations have exhibited high mortality and severity due to the newly emerged more infectious sites of SARS‐CoV‐2, making viral infection more transmissible, infectious, and severe. Recently, SARS‐CoV‐2 mutated to another variant, namely, Omicron (B.1.1.529), which is many times more transmissible and infectious than existed deadly Delta variants of the virus. This severity is closely correlated to a larger number of mutations observed in the receptor‐binding domain of the spike protein of the Omicron‐SARS‐CoV‐2. Considering severity, Omicron has been declared as variant of concerns by the World Health Organization and within days from its emergence, Omicron infection has spread globally, increased hospitalization, exhibited more severity for the young generation, invaded defense mechanism of natural immunity, not responsive to the available vaccines. Such circumstances resonated with the efficiency of available strategies established to manage COVID‐19 intelligently and successfully. To explore these aspects, this perspective article carefully and critically summarizes the Omicron's origin, structure, pathogenesis, impact health along with health systems, and experts’ recommendations to manage it successfully.

OMICRON: Virology, immunopathogenesis, and laboratory diagnosis

“…In the case of diagnosis, nanofiber swabs are an example of more rapid tests that can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2. 139 Nanosystems can be used as carriers of the drugs for efficient delivery of the drugs to a specific organ. To achieve this aim, drugs are nano-encapsulated (using different nanocarriers such as nanosomes, nanoemulsions, etc.).…”

“…With early access to anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immunotherapies, like MAbs, to treat Omicron infection, hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk infected and exposed patients could be cut by 70%. 139 Pfizer and Moderna came up with the idea of a fourth booster dose, which could be followed by other doses. The health agencies agree with this claim because they want to develop timely and effective treatments.…”

“…Nevertheless, comprehensive vaccination is suggested to reduce hospitalization and fatality rates; however, it is uncertain how successfully the antibodies generated by current vaccinations can neutralize Omicron variants, and this should be explored thoroughly. With early access to anti‐inflammatory, antiviral and immunotherapies, like MAbs, to treat Omicron infection, hospitalizations and deaths in high‐risk infected and exposed patients could be cut by 70% 139 …”

“…These challenges necessitate the development of novel technology‐based methods to tackle and neutralize the virus. In the case of diagnosis, nanofiber swabs are an example of more rapid tests that can be used to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 139 …”

Photoelectrochemical oxidation assisted air purifiers; perspective as potential tools to control indoor SARS-CoV-2 Exposure

“…The outcomes of this analytical perspective suggest that PECO assisted air purifiers can successfully manage indoor air microbial exposure and support the objectives of policies and legislation planned/-or proposed to manage indoor respiratory infection caused by pollutants, water, food, etc [40] . A virus-free and clean indoor air is more crucial in a scenario when SARS-CoV-2 is mutating often [[ [41] , [42] ] and known to affect the neuronal function to cause and facilitate neurodegenerative disorder and the brain injury [43] .…”