Is it possible to detect Covid ‘Omicron’ variant using PCR test? The World Health Organization says…

WHO declares Omicron, first detected in southern Africa, to be a worrying variant.

Geneva:

Although PCR tests can detect Omicron infections, studies are looking at whether the Covid-19 variant of interest has any impact on other types of tests, the WHO said on Sunday. .

“Widely used PCR tests continue to detect infections, including Omicron infections, as we have seen with other variants,” said the World Health Organization. World said in an update on what’s known so far about the new variant.

“Studies are underway to determine if there are any effects on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests.”

The WHO on Friday declared Omicron, first detected earlier this month in southern Africa, to be a variant of concern.

This classification places Omicron in the list of the most troublesome Covid-19 variants, along with the globally dominant Delta, and its weaker rivals Alpha, Beta and Gamma.

Omicron spread across the globe on Sunday, closing borders and renewing curbs as the EU chief said governments faced a “race against time” to understand the tension.

This variation has cast doubt on global efforts to combat the pandemic due to fears that it is highly contagious, forcing countries to re-impose measures that many had hoped for. past.

In its update, WHO said it was “not clear” yet whether Omicron spreads more easily from person to person, or whether infection with this strain causes more severe illness than other strains. other or not.

“There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicrons differ from those in other variants,” the United Nations health agency said.

Although preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of people who have previously taken Covid becoming reinfected with Omicron, information is currently limited.

WHO says it is working to understand the potential impact of this variant on existing countermeasures, including vaccines.

As for treatments, the organization says corticosteroids and IL6 receptor blockers will remain effective for managing patients with severe Covid-19 – while other treatments will be evaluated to see if they help. effective with Omicron or not.

WHO says studies on various aspects of the new variant will take several weeks to reach a conclusion.

“WHO is working with a large number of researchers around the world to better understand Omicron,” the organization said.

“More information will emerge in the coming days and weeks.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)