New Year, New Strain – What You Need to Know About the Omicron Variant

Every virus mutates and evolves. This is why we need to get the flu vaccine every year to protect ourselves against the most common strain of the flu season and while you’ll almost always catch a cold during the winter. The COVID-19 virus is no different. Covid is constantly evolving into new strains and variants. As we move into the new year, the COVID-19 omicron variant has become the most concerning COVID variant since the delta variant of early summer 2021. 

What is the Omicron Variant?

The omicron variant was deemed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO). In a statement, the WHO said it Omicron was deemed concerning because, “has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes.”

What You Need to Know About the Omicron Variant

Research is currently being conducted to determine more details about the omicron variant. However, preliminary research indicates that the omicron variant may be more transmissible than other variants and that it has the ability to mutate. Here are some things that are currently known about the omicron variant:

  • Positive cases have been identified in one-third of states

  • Many cases have been linked to individuals who have recently traveled internationally

  • It will take several weeks to determine how severe symptoms are for this variant

  • Vaccine providers are evaluating if changes will need to be made to their vaccines to better target omicron

How Can You Protect Yourself Against the Omicron Variant

While vaccines may need to be tweaked in the future, they remain the top defense against any variant of the COVID-19 virus. If you haven’t received your vaccination yet, we encourage you to schedule a vaccine appointment. If it has been 6 months or longer since your last COVID vaccine, you are eligible to receive a booster shot. Booster vaccines can be made by any manufacturer, so you don’t have to have the same brand as the first vaccine you received. Other mitigation techniques include frequent hand washing, practicing social distancing, and wearing a mask when you’re out in public.

Trace Medical specializes in providing respiratory equipment to our patients. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

VGM Forbin