Spanish scientists confirm two types of Ómicron: “It is the Frankenstein of COVID”
Since Ómicron appeared in southern Africa less than a month ago, the scientific community has focused on investigating it and the results of those first studies are coming to light. The new strain of COVID worries about its numerous mutations and high transmissibility, which could make it more resistant to current vaccines than its predecessors.
Sonia Vázquez, scientist of the respiratory virus team of the National Microbiology Center of the Carlos III Health Institute, assures in an interview with NIUS that after the first studies “Two types of Omicron have been detected”. “The virus is still there, it continues to mutate, so we don’t know if it will remain as it is. In fact, right now, we are already seeing two types of omicron, two different sub-lineages. Not that one is worse than the other, but they help us to classify the virus, with different characteristics within the same variant “, explains Vázquez.
The expert points out Ómicron as the “Frankestein of COVID”, since this variant is “the one that has mutated the most so far“. Anything that involves changes in the virus” raises concern “for not knowing” how it will behave, “but the scientist prefers to remain prudent until she has more information about the strain.”In principle, I would not be overly concerned until there is scientific evidence“he says.
“I think Ómicron will not be the last variant”
Although he does not “dare” to say it, Vázquez wishes that this variant means the end of the pandemic. “Pathogens tend to evolve to adapt to and stay with their host. But If the studies that indicate that this is milder are confirmed, it would be good news, the best thing that could happen to us“, explains the scientist.
The best scenario that augurs is that “the predominant variant produce mild symptoms and provide immunity without causing severe pathology“, and this” could be Ómicron, but it is still too early to say “. However, Vázquez warns that to end the pandemic”it is important that people get vaccinated, so that the virus stops circulating and continues to mutate. I think that Ómicron is not going to be the last variant, we are already going through the fifteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. “In Spain, yes, it is far from being hegemonic, since”delta is still clearly predominant“.
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