Coronavirus: entering the third year

By: Kiana Bamdad

January 19, 2022

 

A new year has come, and so has a new variant of the Coronavirus called ‘Omicron’. This variant looks completely different when compared to the earlier ‘Delta’ variant. It has spread at a concerningly rapid rate and even has the ability to bypass vaccines. 

 

As with previous variants, loss of smell and taste, flu, fever and cough had become common symptoms of Covid. Early data from the UK shows that smell loss, fever and cough are not as prevalent with Omicron cases and that instead, the top five symptoms are runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and sore throat. 

 

Another important finding is Omicron’s shorter incubation period. Studies have shown that the incubation period; the time it takes to show symptoms after exposure to Covid is about three days in Omicron in contrast to being 4-5 days in the original and Delta variant. 

 

Although Omicron is a milder variant as compared to Delta, experts say that it could still lead to a long Covid with long-term symptoms. People of ages above 65 or those who have pre-existing health problems are still at risk of hospitalisation or having an ICU visit.