Even though we assumed our lives had returned to normal following the Covid-19 epidemic, such forecasts may have been premature. Covid-19 instances are still being reported over the world after three years, but in smaller numbers.
While other nations are removing Covid restrictions and allowing their borders, China is experiencing its biggest pandemic epidemic since Wuhan. Across the previous 24 hours, there have been 5,280 new cases recorded in the country, with 3,507 of those being domestic.
Since the epidemic began in Wuhan, this is the second greatest number of cases. In 13 Chinese cities and districts, a lockdown has been ordered due to the rising number of cases. According to reports, the new Omicron type has spread throughout the country.
Despite this, experts suggest India should not be too concerned about the new form of the Omicron variation, and that the IIT Kanpur study’s prediction of the fourth wave in India by June 22, 2022 is incorrect.
AFFECT ON CHINA
About 5 crore Chinese individuals have been confined to their homes as a result of a lockdown ordered to stem the spread of the disease. Higher than 10,000 cases have been reported in China in the first two weeks of March, significantly more than in prior waves.
The province of Jilin is the hardest hit in the country. In addition, tight limits have been enforced in Shenzhen province, which is known as China’s technical powerhouse. Before March 12, two hospitals in Shanghai and one in Shenzhen were also completed.
To stop the virus from spreading, testing has been ramped up across the country on a big scale. So far, six rounds of inquiry have been conducted in Jilin province.
STEALTH OMICRON
The fourth wave has been spreading in China for about a month, according to these preparations.
According to Zhang Wenhong, a well-known infectious disease expert, the present outbreak is caused by the Omicron variation ‘Stealth Omicron’ or the B.A.2 lineage.
According to preliminary studies, it spreads faster than the original highly transmissible Omicron strain, which spreads faster than the Wuhan virus itself.
According to a study done by Danish researchers, the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron is 1.5 times more transmissible than the original Omicron strain.
According to the World Health Organization, Omicron, also known as B.1.1.529, has three main substrains: BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3 (WHO).
STEALTH OMICRON AND ITS SYMPTOMS
According to Cornelius Römer, a bioinformatician, the BA.2 subvariant evolved from a common ancestor about the same time as the original Omicron.
The Omicron variety, according to WHO, affects the upper respiratory tract rather than the lungs.
The Omicron variation causes symptoms similar to a common cold, with dizziness and exhaustion being the most typical early signs.
Fever, excessive weariness, coughing, sore throat, aching head, muscle fatigue, and an increased heart rate are among the additional symptoms.
Loss of taste and smell, as well as shortness of breath, are not likely to occur in the BA.2 variety.
One of the most common symptoms of the BA is a cold. Omicron has two variants, one of which is known as ‘Stealth Omicron.’
Is it necessary to be concerned?
The ‘Stealth Omicron,’ also known as the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron, is quickly spreading over the world.
The ‘Stealth Omicron’ is currently spreading fast in China, the site of the first Covid-19 outbreak.
BA.2 is the sixth Omicron variety to be discovered, and it was initially discovered in November of last year in South Africa.
According to the World Health Organization, the BA.2 variety will not only spread throughout China, but also to neighbouring nations.
The ‘Stealth Omicron,’ according to Indian experts, will not create too much difficulty in India.
The risk of BA.2 spreading in India, according to Dr Narendra Kumar Arora, leader of the Covid-19 task force, is quite low.
According to him, the number of patients infected with BA.2 increased during the third wave in India.
According to Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, chairman of the IMA-Kochi Research Cell, there is a reason why it is growing in China.
Because of widespread misunderstanding, China’s senior population has a lower vaccination rate.
