How tin I support myself from the omicron variant? (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin) (Ap Illustration/Peter Hamlin)

The archetypal lawsuit of the Omicron variant was precocious reported successful the United States, and now, different cases are starting to emerge.

“It seems to beryllium spreading rapidly successful South Africa, truthful that is concerning due to the fact that for the past mates of months nary different variant has truly been capable to vie with Delta,” explained Daniel Rhoads, MD, microbiologist for Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Rhoads said determination is inactive a batch to larn astir the caller variant, similar whether it is much contagious than Delta – which is the ascendant variant circulating close now.

It’s besides unclear whether it tin origin much terrible symptoms.

He said present that the holidays person arrived and a caller variant is here, it’s much important than ever to beryllium cautious with COVID-19. He recommends wearing a disguise and societal distancing erstwhile possible.

The vaccine tin besides assistance supply protection. In addition, it tin forestall the microorganism from further mutating.

“The mutations hap randomly, truthful the much opportunities to mutate, the much opportunities determination are for an occasional advantageous mutation,” said Dr. Rhoads. “When millions of radical are infected, that gives the microorganism millions of much opportunities to mutate and possibly onshore connected 1 of those advantageous mutations.”

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Dr. Rhoads besides encourages individuals to proceed getting tested for COVID-19. That information is utile erstwhile it comes to detecting caller variants.

Copyright 2021 by Cleveland Clinic News Service. All rights reserved.