• The Omicron variant is a variant of the COVID-19 virus. Omicron variant is the common name used to refer to what is technically known as the B.1.1.529 variant.

A variant of a virus is a new strain that has emerged due to a mutation (or mutations) in the virus’s genetic structure.

Use and awareness of the name Omicron variant became more common in news reports and public health communications in late 2021, including those about whether it could potentially be more contagious or more severe than previous variants, such as the Delta variant.

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is in the community transmission stage in India and has become dominant in multiple metros where new cases have been rising exponentially.

The name Omicron variant came to be well-known in late 2021 due to wide coverage of the variant by international media and international response to its classification by the WHO. Many countries, including the United States, restricted or banned travel to or from South Africa and some neighboring countries in an attempt to limit the spread of the Omicron variant.

“Omicron is now in community transmission in India and has become dominant in multiple metros, where new cases have been rising exponentially. BA.2 lineage is in a substantial fraction in India and S gene dropout based screening is thus likely to give high false negatives.” 

India reported 3, 33,533 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the active caseload to 21, 87,205. While the daily positivity rate and weekly positivity rate stand at 17.78 percent and 16.87 percent respectively, the recovery rate stands at 93.18 percent.

The number of daily cases is higher than Saturday’s 3.37 lakh cases. However, the daily and weekly positivity rates have risen.

The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

• Two types of tests are used to test for current infection: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAAT and antigen tests can only tell you if you have a current infection.
• Individuals can use the COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to help determine what kind of test to seek.
  • Additional tests would be needed to determine if your infection was caused by Omicron.
  • Visit your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.
• Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.
  • If you’re self-test has a positive result, stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and call your healthcare provider.
  • If you have any questions about your self-test result, call your healthcare provider or public health department.

What are the symptoms of Omicron? 
For our analysis, we took the health reports from contributors reporting positive cases in the study app in December 2021 as Omicron became dominant and compared them with data from early October when Delta was the dominant variant.

The top 5 symptoms in both periods were:

1. runny nose
2. headache
3. fatigue (mild or severe)
4. sneezing
5. sore throat

This analysis found no clear difference in the symptom profile of Delta and Omicron, with only 50% of people experiencing the classic three symptoms of fever, cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste.

Interestingly, we’ve seen loss of smell and taste become much less common. It was in the top 10 symptoms earlier in 2021, and now it’s ranking at 17, with only 1 in 5 people experiencing it.

If the symptoms are mild, why should we worry about Omicron?
While Omicron may feel more like a cold to many of us, it can still hospitalize and kill people or leave them suffering with long-term symptoms that disrupt their day-to-day lives. 

Also, the fact that Omicron is much more infectious than Delta means it can spread quicker.

When cases are really high, large numbers of people will have to isolate at home for days, something that is already having a significant impact on the economy and public services.

What should we do to protect yourself and others from Omicron?
It’s important to know and recognize all of the symptoms of Omicron. Symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, headache, and fatigue could be COVID.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, get tested and isolate until you have your test result. This will help stop the spread.

If you live in an area experiencing high rates of infection, consider staying home and reducing social contact. Omicron is a highly transmissible variant, so being a bit more cautious when it comes to socializing is a good idea.

Findings from our research show exactly what actionable things you can do to strengthen your immune system — like eating a healthy, gut-friendly diet that is full of plants — and to help protect yourself against corona virus and other harmful invaders.

In detail, study found that people who ate a high-quality diet, rich in plant-based foods, were 10% less likely to get COVID-19 and 40% less likely to get severe COVID-19 requiring treatment in the hospital. 

Additionally, being fully vaccinated has been found to be the best way to protect people from severe disease and hospitalization, so if you have access to vaccines, now is the time to make sure you’re vaccinated.

Wearing a mask in crowded places is another great way to protect others. If you’re on public transport or mixing with people outside your household, wearing a mask is a small thing you can do to make a difference.

How to protect our self from omicron?
The same way you guard against Covid-19 caused by any other variant: Get vaccinated if you haven’t yet, get a booster if you’re eligible and step up other precautions you may have relaxed, like wearing a mask and avoiding crowds.

For all the attention Omicron is getting, the overwhelming cause of infections and deaths in many places remains the extra-contagious delta variant.

“Delta is the real risk right now. Omicron is an uncertain threat,” It will take a few weeks to learn key aspects about this latest variant, including whether it’s more contagious, causes more severe illness or evades immunity – and if so, how by much.

In the meantime, “what we need to do is add more layers of protection. That’s especially important with holiday travel and gatherings around the corner.

A booster shot is one of those layers. The added dose triggers a big jump in virus-fighting antibodies. Even if the antibodies don’t prove quite as effective against Omicron as they are against other variants, simply having more of them might compensate – in addition to bolstering protection against delta.

In addition to masking, avoiding crowds and improving ventilation, testing is another protective step. That’s recommended for anyone who has Covid-19 symptoms or was potentially exposed to the virus. But it also could help ensure safety before holiday gatherings, even if everyone attending has been vaccinated.

Should you exercise with asymptomatic corona virus? What the experts say about home workouts with Omicron
Everyone takes at least 10 days of consecutive rest after first testing positive, and having at least seven symptom-free days before attempting to work out. And when you do eventually start moving again, it should be done in a ‘graduated manner’. That means “being able to get through a normal day before progressing to start on light-intensity activity for short periods,”

THOSE SYMPTOMS COULD INCLUDE

• High temperature
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Unusual body aches
• Chest pains or palpitations

Covid affects everyone differently. However, once your symptoms have stopped, “you can start easing yourself back into exercise within a few weeks”.

 “Starting small and building yourself up incrementally. Start with stretches or gentle activities like yoga or walking. Then, as you feel stronger, you can start raising your heart rate. Work on slow and steady improvement and don’t push yourself too quickly.”

And its worth flagging that if you’re normally quite active but have spent the past week in bed, the chances are that your usual fitness levels are probably going to be compromised.

EXERCISE CAN MAKE US FEEL BETTER, BUT ONLY ONCE WE’RE GENUINELY READY TO DO IT
You can only resume exercising again in public areas like the gym once your isolation period has ended. But, if you’re isolating and feeling well enough to do so, some light exercise at home can be a good idea. “Obviously, if you are isolating away from other family members in the same household, then you need to be mindful of others so as to reduce the risk of spreading Covid to the family.”

The key symptom to be aware of, however, is if you’re running a high temperature. “It’s very important not to exercise if you have a high fever/temperature. Once your fever resolves and if you feel well enough to do so, some light exercise can really help boost your general wellbeing, both physically and mentally.”

Some of our Videos on Omicron:

1.Yoga for Omicron

2.Pranayamas for Omicron