New omicron variant: what do we know so far?
1:36
(CNN) -
The emergence of the recently identified variant of the omicron coronavirus feels like proof of our pandemic instinct.
Scientists have long known that the world would see variants of the coronavirus emerge.
Viruses constantly mutate.
But when South Africa's health minister announced on Thursday the discovery of variant B.1.1.529, which appears to be spreading rapidly in some parts of the country, it was the strongest reminder yet that the pandemic is not over.
Ómicron, mu, delta, lambda and others: one by one, all the variants of the coronavirus identified so far
In the hours after Thursday's announcement, several nations - including the United States and the United Kingdom - banned travel from South Africa and surrounding African countries.
New travel restrictions announced by President Joe Biden on Friday will give the US federal government more time to investigate the new omicron variant that has emerged in South Africa, officials say.
But not much.
advertising
Within the government, it is considered inevitable that the new variant will appear in the US at some point, but the new restrictions should give federal health agencies and their global counterparts more time to learn about the variant, including the severity of the disease. disease.
Officials do not believe, based on current surveillance, that the variant is still in the United States.
Officials acted quickly to implement new restrictions.
Although the appearance of the variant had been pointed out in recent weeks, only in the last few days did they learn of its severity.
These are the countries that have imposed travel restrictions due to the new variant of coronavirus
US officials are expected to speak to scientists again in South Africa on Sunday.
Effective measures against any variant, according to doctor 1:30
The growing concern
The World Health Organization (WHO) quickly convened a group of advisers and the variant designated B.1.1.529 was a "variant of concern", giving it the Greek name omicron.
The WHO also called on countries to improve their surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand variants of the coronavirus.
The world is on high alert for the variant of the omicron coronavirus
Vaccine manufacturers were quick to identify the variant as a concern.
Moderna said the omicron variant represents a "significant potential risk" for its COVID-19 vaccine.
"The recently described omicron variant includes mutations seen in the delta variant that are believed to increase transmissibility and mutations seen in the beta and delta variants that are believed to promote immune escape. The combination of mutations represents a significant potential risk for accelerating immunity. decrease in natural and vaccine-induced immunity, "Moderna said in a press release on Friday.
Ómicron was also quick to hit the economy.
The new variant of covid-19 sent oil plummeting 13% on Friday as investors feared further government restrictions and slower economic growth.
US crude ended the day at a two-month low of $ 68.15 a barrel, down 13.1% from Wednesday's close.
It was the worst day for oil since April 27, 2020, when Covid-19 was spreading rapidly in the United States.
Now as scientists are working quickly to learn more about the variant, world health officials are urging people to wear face masks, avoid crowded places, and get vaccinated if they haven't already.
Ómicron is another example of how covid-19 is here to stay.
What is the risk of the new variant of coronavirus called omicron?
1:29
"This virus is going to continually generate variants"
"We understand that people are concerned. The good thing is that we have monitoring systems around the world to detect these variants very quickly. This variant was detected a few weeks ago, and scientists are already sharing research with us, information with us, so that we can take action, "Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead for covid-19, said in a video statement on Friday.
Ómicron: what is known about the new variant of the coronavirus
"What's really important as an individual is reducing your exposure," Van Kerkhove said.
"These proven public health measures have never been more important: distancing yourself, wearing a mask, making sure you're on your nose and mouth with clean hands, making sure you avoid crowded spaces, being in well-ventilated rooms, and when it's your turn, get vaccinated. "
And as the world learns more about the omicron variant, current guidance on mitigation measures, such as wearing face masks, could change.
Even as the pandemic nears its end and the coronavirus becomes endemic - that is, it could have a constant presence but not affect an alarming number of people - new variants are likely to continue to emerge.
"This virus will continually generate new variants, most of which will be inconsequential. However, it will remain an important task to characterize and track new variants to determine their importance," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, principal investigator at the Center for Health Security. from Johns Hopkins University, in an email sent to CNN on Friday.
"There will never be a time when there is a zero covid-19 threat as the virus becomes endemic," Adalja wrote.
"Once the virus is domesticated, by losing the ability to threaten hospital capacity through high levels of immunity and treatments of the population, I think public health recommendations will be more flexible, although some people may voluntarily choose to continue. using them in high-risk contexts. "
Why do young people report an increase in covid-19 infections?
3:30
Vaccine scientists already test omicron
As we look at what the future might hold, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have said they are prepared to update their coronavirus vaccines to target emerging variants.
Coronavirus vaccine manufacturers study effectiveness against omicron variant
BioNTech scientists have already begun investigating the impact that the omicron variant has on their vaccine developed with Pfizer, and data is expected in the coming weeks.
"We understand the concern of the experts and have immediately initiated investigations into the B.1.1.529 variant," BioNTech said in a statement on Friday.
"We expect more data from laboratory tests in two weeks at the latest."
Moderna announced in a statement on Friday that it is "working rapidly" to test the capacity of its current dose of vaccine against the omicron variant with the date expected in the coming weeks.
If the current vaccine and the booster shot are insufficient against the variant, a possible solution is to vaccinate people with a higher dose, which Moderna said it is testing.
What the World Can Learn from Israel's Covid-19 Booster Vaccination Deployment
The company also evaluates two multivalent reinforcement candidates to see if they provide superior omicron protection.
Both candidates include some of the viral mutations present in the new variant.
Moderna also reviews a specific backup candidate against omicron.
"Since early 2021, Moderna has advanced a comprehensive strategy to add new variants of concern," said the company's statement, that "this strategy includes three levels of response" in the event that the currently authorized booster dose of the vaccine is insufficient to increase the waning immunity against the omicron variant.
What is the risk of the new variant of coronavirus called omicron?
1:29
In response to the emergence of the omicron variant, Johnson & Johnson said in a company statement on Friday: "We are closely monitoring new variants of the covid-19 virus with variations in the spike protein Sars-CoV-2 and we are already testing the effectiveness of our vaccine against the new, rapidly spreading variant that was first detected in southern Africa. "
Vaccine maker AstraZeneca is seeking to understand the impact the omicron variant has on its coronavirus vaccine, and is also testing its antibody combination therapy against the new variant, a company spokesman said on Friday.
The spokesperson said that the platform used in the vaccine allows the company to respond quickly to new variants.
"AstraZeneca is also doing research in places where the variant has been identified, namely in Botswana and Eswatini, which will allow us to collect real-world data from Vaxzevria against this new variant of the virus," they said.
The company's antibody treatment, AZD7442, is also tested against the variant, and AstraZeneca says it "is hopeful that AZD7442 will remain effective as it comprises two powerful antibodies with different and complementary activities against the virus."
Dr. Gupta explains data justifying booster doses 0:56
CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Virginia Langmaid, and Naomi Thomas contributed to this report.
