Despite not yet having fully-recovered from COVID-19 pandemic, experts warn that the new omicron variant will bring in its wrath a new COVID-19 wave.
Among the defining characteristics of omicron is its many mutations of the spike proteins on the outside of the virus shell that initiates a faster spread.
This aspect particularly is what made the variant better able to reinfect people previously infected with the disease. As a result, protection from vaccines become less effective.
On the bright side, vaccination helps prevent hospitalizations, especially with a booster.
Unlike any other variant so far, omicron can sweep across the globe the infection that experts fear to bring the fourth COVID-19 wave.
Surging Covid-19 cases
CHINHOYI, ZIMBABWE - DECEMBER 15: A nurse administers Covid 19 vaccine on a teenager at a School near Banket on December 15, 2021 in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. The country has extended a series of measures, including mandatory PCR tests for arriving travelers, an overnight curfew, and alcohol bans to combat the Omicron Covid-19 variant, which was first identified in nearby South Africa. Dozens of other countries soon reported their own cases.
Since the start of its mutation, the new omicron variant contributed to a record number of infections in many US states including New York in a "full force" state, and even swept across Europe. According to nationwide COVID numbers, cases of the infection are rising again after tailing off from the fall delta surge.
"For the unvaccinated, you're looking at a winter of severe illness and death, for yourselves, your families, and the hospitals you may soon overwhelm," White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said, echoing the president's original statement.
These numbers also suggest that we should assume a rapid growth in case numbers across the U.S. as 2022 arrives.
Meanwhile, the same surge is expected to hit Alaska, as evidenced by two cases sequenced so far by the state Department of Health and Social Services.
"We can assume that others yet to be found are circulating in the community, and we'll soon see far more than a handful. The omicron variant's signature trait, beyond its mutations, is the speed at which it replicates."
Also read: Dr. Pedram Salimpour and Dr. Pejman Salimpour Warn Omicron Variant May Cause New COVID-19 Wave
Optimism about omicron
As strange as it sounds, omicron could actually offer a reason for optimism through its unique traits that may work in our favor.
For instance, it can be inferred from data that omicron may not result in hospitalization and death as often as previous variants. Although it does infect vaccinated people, it has a lower risk of hospitalization, thus preventing the speed with which omicron travels.
In addition, its fast speed could mean it burns out quicker. In fact, the earliest spike of omicron-variant cases in South Africa "dropped like a rock", making for a far more compressed COVID wave. If this is the case, we can derive that the vast number of people with new antibodies from omicron will have greater protection against it and other variants in the future.
Moreover, this could buy us time to get people vaccinated, develop enhanced vaccines and treatments against resistant strains, and keep new variants from getting a foothold. It may not necessarily be the end of COVID, but if the cards are played right, we can turn the table and press our advantage against the virus.
With this knowledge, our best weapon against omicron at this time is vaccination. This initiative stretches out to the community's welfare, especially those who are particularly at risk should they be infected with the variant.
Also read: Pfizer's New COVID Antiviral Pills Could be Dangerous When Taken With Other Medications