I think at least in the short term we need a separate thread about this variant as there is constant breaking news about it. Hopefully it will be short lived and they'll come to find it may spread quickly, but isn't that deadly. I hope. I'm expecting Breaking News about it from here in Thailand shortly, as it's inevitable that it will arrive here. That News will all go into this thread.
South Africa Covid-19 cases have quadrupled since Tuesday, with Omicron fueling the surge
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/03/afri ... index.html
Omicron outbreak at Norway Christmas party is biggest outside South Africa, authorities say
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/03/euro ... index.html
South African researchers find evidence people more easily reinfected with Omicron variant than with other variants
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/12/03/heal ... index.html
Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Omicron variant may have picked up a piece of common-cold virus
https://www.reuters.com/business/health ... 021-12-03/
NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 likely acquired at least one of its mutations by picking up a snippet of genetic material from another virus - possibly one that causes the common cold - present in the same infected cells, according to researchers.
This genetic sequence does not appear in any earlier versions of the coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, but is ubiquitous in many other viruses including those that cause the common cold, and also in the human genome, researchers said.
By inserting this particular snippet into itself, Omicron might be making itself look "more human," which would help it evade attack by the human immune system, said Venky Soundararajan of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based data analytics firm nference, who led the study posted on Thursday on the website OSF Preprints.
This could mean the virus transmits more easily, while only causing mild or asymptomatic disease. Scientists do not yet know whether Omicron is more infectious than other variants, whether it causes more severe disease or whether it will overtake Delta as the most prevalent variant. It may take several weeks to get answers to these questions.
Cells in the lungs and in the gastrointestinal system can harbor SARS-CoV-2 and common-cold coronaviruses simultaneously, according to earlier studies. Such co-infection sets the scene for viral recombination, a process in which two different viruses in the same host cell interact while making copies of themselves, generating new copies that have some genetic material from both "parents."
This new mutation could have first occurred in a person infected with both pathogens when a version of SARS-CoV-2 picked up the genetic sequence from the other virus, Soundararajan and colleagues said in the study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The same genetic sequence appears many times in one of the coronaviruses that causes colds in people - known as HCoV-229E - and in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, Soundararajan said.
South Africa, where Omicron was first identified, has the world's highest rate of HIV, which weakens the immune system and increases a person's vulnerability to infections with common-cold viruses and other pathogens. In that part of the world, there are many people in whom the recombination that added this ubiquitous set of genes to Omicron might have occurred, Soundararajan said.
"We probably missed many generations of recombinations" that occurred over time and that led to the emergence of Omicron, Soundararajan added.
More research is needed to confirm the origins of Omicron's mutations and their effects on function and transmissibility. There are competing hypotheses that the latest variant might have spent some time evolving in an animal host.
In the meantime, Soundararajan said, the new findings underscore the importance of people getting the currently available COVID-19 vaccines.
"You have to vaccinate to reduce the odds that other people, who are immunocompromised, will encounter the SARS-CoV-2 virus," Soundararajan said.
https://www.reuters.com/business/health ... 021-12-03/
NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 likely acquired at least one of its mutations by picking up a snippet of genetic material from another virus - possibly one that causes the common cold - present in the same infected cells, according to researchers.
This genetic sequence does not appear in any earlier versions of the coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, but is ubiquitous in many other viruses including those that cause the common cold, and also in the human genome, researchers said.
By inserting this particular snippet into itself, Omicron might be making itself look "more human," which would help it evade attack by the human immune system, said Venky Soundararajan of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based data analytics firm nference, who led the study posted on Thursday on the website OSF Preprints.
This could mean the virus transmits more easily, while only causing mild or asymptomatic disease. Scientists do not yet know whether Omicron is more infectious than other variants, whether it causes more severe disease or whether it will overtake Delta as the most prevalent variant. It may take several weeks to get answers to these questions.
Cells in the lungs and in the gastrointestinal system can harbor SARS-CoV-2 and common-cold coronaviruses simultaneously, according to earlier studies. Such co-infection sets the scene for viral recombination, a process in which two different viruses in the same host cell interact while making copies of themselves, generating new copies that have some genetic material from both "parents."
This new mutation could have first occurred in a person infected with both pathogens when a version of SARS-CoV-2 picked up the genetic sequence from the other virus, Soundararajan and colleagues said in the study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The same genetic sequence appears many times in one of the coronaviruses that causes colds in people - known as HCoV-229E - and in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, Soundararajan said.
South Africa, where Omicron was first identified, has the world's highest rate of HIV, which weakens the immune system and increases a person's vulnerability to infections with common-cold viruses and other pathogens. In that part of the world, there are many people in whom the recombination that added this ubiquitous set of genes to Omicron might have occurred, Soundararajan said.
"We probably missed many generations of recombinations" that occurred over time and that led to the emergence of Omicron, Soundararajan added.
More research is needed to confirm the origins of Omicron's mutations and their effects on function and transmissibility. There are competing hypotheses that the latest variant might have spent some time evolving in an animal host.
In the meantime, Soundararajan said, the new findings underscore the importance of people getting the currently available COVID-19 vaccines.
"You have to vaccinate to reduce the odds that other people, who are immunocompromised, will encounter the SARS-CoV-2 virus," Soundararajan said.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Omicron spreading in US: Virus Update
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/22267 ... rus-update
Omicron variant spreads in Australia
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/22267 ... -australia
Malaysia reports first case of Omicron variant
https://thethaiger.com/news/regional/ma ... on-variant
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/22267 ... rus-update
Omicron variant spreads in Australia
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/22267 ... -australia
Malaysia reports first case of Omicron variant
https://thethaiger.com/news/regional/ma ... on-variant
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Thailand detects first Omicron case
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... icron-case
Thailand has detected its first case of Omicron.
The coronavirus variant was found in a Thai businessman who arrived in the country from Spain, senior Public Health Ministry officials said on Monday.
Department of Medical Sciences director-general Supakit Sirilak said the new variant was detected in an RT-PCR test conducted when the 35-year-old man arrived in Thailand.
Department of Disease Control chief Opas Karnkawinpong added the businessman was a US citizen who had lived in Spain for one year before he arrived in Thailand.
He was on Emirates Airline flight EK372 from Dubai to Suvarnabhumi Airport and showed no symptoms.
It was unclear which day he entered Thailand as Dr Opas said he arrived on Nov 29 but a chart presented by the ministry during his press briefing showed Nov 30.
The man underwent RT-PCR testing in Spain on Nov 28 before he left for Thailand via the United Arab Emirates, Dr Opas added. He had received one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which usually requires only a single shot.
Following his positive RT-PCR test, a detailed test was conducted at the Department of Medical Sciences on Friday. He was being treated at a hospital, Dr Opas said.
Dr Supakit said the chance that "the infection was the Omicron variant is 99.92%".
He urged the government not to replace RT-PCR testing with rapid antigen testing, and expected more cases would be detected. "If there is one case, we believe there will be the second and third cases," he said.
The ministry said the patient had been in contact with two airport staff and 17 hotel staff members.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... icron-case
Thailand has detected its first case of Omicron.
The coronavirus variant was found in a Thai businessman who arrived in the country from Spain, senior Public Health Ministry officials said on Monday.
Department of Medical Sciences director-general Supakit Sirilak said the new variant was detected in an RT-PCR test conducted when the 35-year-old man arrived in Thailand.
Department of Disease Control chief Opas Karnkawinpong added the businessman was a US citizen who had lived in Spain for one year before he arrived in Thailand.
He was on Emirates Airline flight EK372 from Dubai to Suvarnabhumi Airport and showed no symptoms.
It was unclear which day he entered Thailand as Dr Opas said he arrived on Nov 29 but a chart presented by the ministry during his press briefing showed Nov 30.
The man underwent RT-PCR testing in Spain on Nov 28 before he left for Thailand via the United Arab Emirates, Dr Opas added. He had received one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which usually requires only a single shot.
Following his positive RT-PCR test, a detailed test was conducted at the Department of Medical Sciences on Friday. He was being treated at a hospital, Dr Opas said.
Dr Supakit said the chance that "the infection was the Omicron variant is 99.92%".
He urged the government not to replace RT-PCR testing with rapid antigen testing, and expected more cases would be detected. "If there is one case, we believe there will be the second and third cases," he said.
The ministry said the patient had been in contact with two airport staff and 17 hotel staff members.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
More information released about first case of Omicron COVID-19 variant discovered in Thailand:
Thailand has detected its first potential case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a senior health official said on Monday.
The case, which is still awaiting the result of a second test, was identified as a male U.S. citizen who had traveled to Thailand from Spain at the end of November, Supakit Sirilak, the Director-General of the Medical Science Department, told a news conference.
The Medical Science Department released a timeline of detailing how the case was discovered in Thailand:
Infected Person : The 35-year-old business man, US citizen who had lived in Spain for one year before he arrived in Thailand.
• June 28: The patient received one shot of the Johnson & Johnson in the US November 28: Patient took RT-PCR test in Spain and got a negative result.
• November 29: Patient flew from Spain to Dubai for a nine-hour layover. Claims to have worn a face mask at all times.
• November 30: Arrived in Bangkok at around midnight, got a drive-through test at a hospital and stayed at a qualified hotel in Test&Go Program.
• December 1: Patient tested positive and was admitted to hospital despite having no symptoms.
• December 3: Sample was sent to the Department of Medical Sciences and confirmed as Omicron variant.
The ministry said the patient had been in contact with two airport staff and 17 hotel staff members, who have now all been placed into quarantine as a precautionary measure.
While officials were still waiting for the results from a second RT-PCR test, Dr Supakit said “the chance that the infection is the Omicron variant is 99.92%”.
Dr Supakit added that it is likely more Omicron cases to be discovered in Thailand.
https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-ne ... 9-variant/
Thailand has detected its first potential case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a senior health official said on Monday.
The case, which is still awaiting the result of a second test, was identified as a male U.S. citizen who had traveled to Thailand from Spain at the end of November, Supakit Sirilak, the Director-General of the Medical Science Department, told a news conference.
The Medical Science Department released a timeline of detailing how the case was discovered in Thailand:
Infected Person : The 35-year-old business man, US citizen who had lived in Spain for one year before he arrived in Thailand.
• June 28: The patient received one shot of the Johnson & Johnson in the US November 28: Patient took RT-PCR test in Spain and got a negative result.
• November 29: Patient flew from Spain to Dubai for a nine-hour layover. Claims to have worn a face mask at all times.
• November 30: Arrived in Bangkok at around midnight, got a drive-through test at a hospital and stayed at a qualified hotel in Test&Go Program.
• December 1: Patient tested positive and was admitted to hospital despite having no symptoms.
• December 3: Sample was sent to the Department of Medical Sciences and confirmed as Omicron variant.
The ministry said the patient had been in contact with two airport staff and 17 hotel staff members, who have now all been placed into quarantine as a precautionary measure.
While officials were still waiting for the results from a second RT-PCR test, Dr Supakit said “the chance that the infection is the Omicron variant is 99.92%”.
Dr Supakit added that it is likely more Omicron cases to be discovered in Thailand.
https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-ne ... 9-variant/
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Much of the media here are nothing but blood thirsty racists. Thaiger and The Nation had huge red letter Breaking News headlines this afternoon saying "American brings Omicron to Thailand", or close to that wording. Once the official people announced that he was a US Citizen of Thai heritage, those headlines disappeared in a flash. 
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variantwell you cannot say a Thai brings it in
Well you cannot say a thai brings it in we all know thats impossible he must have a grandmother from burma.
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
I don't believe there's been a single death from this strain, or even serious illness (will try find sources to back this up). Even the fearmonger Fauci has gone on record to say it appears to be milder than other variants. Media making a mountain out of a molehill.
I don't trust children. They're here to replace us.
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
All in close contact with Omicron case have tested negative
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... d-negative
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... d-negative
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
New data shows GSK-Vir drug works against all Omicron mutations
https://www.reuters.com/business/health ... 021-12-07/
https://www.reuters.com/business/health ... 021-12-07/
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
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handdrummer
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Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Except for all those who are vaccinated and still contacted Omicron.PeteC wrote: ↑Tue Dec 07, 2021 5:50 pm New data shows GSK-Vir drug works against all Omicron mutations
https://www.reuters.com/business/health ... 021-12-07/
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
Not quite sure I follow you there. GSK-Vir is a treatment therapy. Is there evidence that it's ineffective against infections of vaccinated people?
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handdrummer
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Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
There's evidence that vaccinated people have contacted Omicron. Whether or not their symptoms would have been worse if they weren't vaccinated is impossible to know.
Re: Covid-19 Omicron Variant
That still doesn't answer your implication that GSK-Vir is no good if you contract Omicron after being vaccinated. It's a treatment, not a vaccine.