The SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron wave is indicating the end of the pandemic phase but the COVID‐19 will continue

Abstract

The world is going through a massive wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic due to the omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Globally, there were 3.23 million new infections on January 21, 2022, which is four times higher than the peak infection rate of the delta wave. 1 The omicron wave is tremendously spreading in every corner of the world except some countries in Southeast Asia, North Africa, Eastern Europe, and Oceania, where the omicron wave has not started yet. 1 In January 2022, the global prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections has increased by at least 30 folds than November last year according to the assumption of Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation models. 2 However, the reported COVID-19 cases have increased by only sixfolds in the same period. 1 This high rate of asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infections by omicron compared to the previous variants might be the possible reason behind these under-reported COVID-19 cases. 3 Also, the current detection rate of COVID-19 is 5% which was 20% in earlier waves. 2 According to the prediction of the World Health Organization,

Is Omicron the end of pandemic or start of a new innings?

“…On January 21, 2022, 3.23 million new infections through Omicron were observed all around the world. The peak infection rate of Omicron is four times greater than the Delta wave [ 54 ]. The ‘S’ protein has 30 mutations in the Omicron variant, half of which are present in the RBD.…”

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

“…This is based on the wide distribution of earlier virus variants, immunization with newer vaccines, availability of improved antiviral drugs, and existing protection for vulnerable populations in future waves. 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 .…”

“…However, at this stage, while continuing to focus on new novel coronavirus variants, we should focus on the existing Omicron variant itself. Omicron variants are now more transmissible than the Delta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma variants, and some clinically used antibodies may fail to respond to Omicron variants 13,27,28 . However, on the positive side, the acquired immunity generated by an Omicron infection itself seems to have contributed favorably to the end of the pandemic.…”

“…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.…”

The SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant and the re‐emergence of COVID‐19 in Europe: An alarm for Bangladesh

“…35 Therefore, the government authorities should be more prepared to prevent any further COVID-19 wave due to this highly mutated and transmissible coronavirus variant. [36][37][38][39][40] The authority can implement their previous pandemic-tackling experiences to tackle the new variant successfully. Most importantly, the government should tighten the travel restrictions or regulations of returning passengers.…”