People’s Daily Online, Beijing, 1 December (James Zhou Ding Yixin, intern Liu Mingxi) The World Health Organization recently convened a special evaluation meeting for the Omicron strain of COVID-19 mutant virus that appeared in some countries recently, and listed it as a "mutant strain that needs attention", asking countries to strengthen monitoring and sequencing.
Why does Omicron "need attention"?
On November 27th, local time, the research team of Rome Children’s Hospital released the first picture of Omicron strain. The picture shows that compared with the 15 mutations of Delta strain, Omicron strain has more than 30 spike protein mutations on its surface, which are diverse and most of them are located in the interaction area with human cells.
Comparison of Spike Protein Mutations between Delta Strain and Omicron Strain. Source: Children’s Hospital of Rome, Italy
"The Omicron strain carries a large number of mutations and spreads quickly." Xu Ke, a professor at the State Key Laboratory of Virology of Wuhan University, told the reporter of People’s Daily Online’s "Strong Observation" column that the new strain is the first time to combine some mutations in other strains. Some data show that the new strain may have caused as many as 90% of new cases in gauteng province, South Africa, and it has spread all over South Africa, which shows that Omicron has certain infection advantages compared with other strains.
What does this virus mutation mean?
"Although there are superimposed mutations, whether the new mutant has stronger infectivity and transmission ability needs further experimental research." Xu Ke said that the amino acid polarity of the new mutant was different in the superimposed mutation, so the previous research conclusions could not be directly applied.
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 mutant virus Omicron strain, the United States, Britain, Israel, Japan and other countries and regions have tightened their entry policies and upgraded their prevention and control measures. Should China also adjust its immigration and segregation policies? How should ordinary people respond?
China CDC responded to the hot issue of Omicron mutant on the 29th. The genome analysis of the mutant showed that its mutation site did not affect the sensitivity and specificity of mainstream nucleic acid detection reagents in China. The Institute of Virology of China CDC has established a specific nucleic acid detection method for Omicron mutant, and continuously carried out virus genome monitoring for possible imported cases.
According to WHO statistics, as of November 30th, local time, Omicron strain had appeared in 19 countries and regions, but this strain accounted for less than 0.1% of the 839,119 virus gene sequence samples collected in the past 60 days, with only 159 samples. Delta is still the main epidemic strain in the world.
"Although the Omicron strain carries a lot of mutations, it is still Covid-19." Xu Ke reminded the public that there is no need to panic excessively. As long as the epidemic prevention policy is strictly implemented and personal protection is done, Omicron strains can still be effectively prevented and controlled.
Does the existing vaccine still work?
"All the vaccines that have been approved can greatly reduce the severe disease rate and mortality caused by mutant strains, and vaccination is still an effective means to deal with Omicron." Xu Ke said that vaccination makes our body produce neutralizing antibodies, which are "precision guided missiles" against foreign invaders. Even though there are many mutations in Omicron, the basic function of mediating virus invasion remains unchanged, and some of these antibodies can always act on Covid-19 of different mutant strains.
Before the press release, the reporter was concerned that many vaccine companies in China were paying close attention to the mutant strain, and some of them had started the research and development of new vaccines.
