Researchers reveal the Omicron variant’s ‘stealth variant making the variant harder to track. Read to know why PCR test for Omicron variant is very difficult.
Why is the PCR test for Omicron failing?
Researchers in the UK discovered a stealth variant with several mutations, making it similar to the omicron variant. However, the variant lacks the S-gene dropout, a genetic change, making it difficult to track with PCR tests. PCR test for Omicron was deemed successful due to this particular genetic change. However, the new variation must be confirmed through genome analysis and testing. (valorhealthcare.com) Till then, scientists are calling it the ‘stealth Omicron‘.
Researchers found the new version of Omicron in samples from Australia, Canada, and South Africa. According to Professor Francois Balloux, the director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, six percent of the Omicron samples submitted to GISAID were the BA.2 or stealth variant. GISAID is a genome database. “There are two lineages within Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2, that are quite differentiated genetically. The two lineages may behave differently,” stated Balloux.
Experts opinion on the stealth variant
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Omicron is “not more severe than the Delta variant”. “The preliminary data doesn’t indicate that this is more severe. In fact, if anything, the direction is towards less severity,” stated Michael Ryan. Michael Ryan is the WHO emergencies director. However, he also stated that more research was needed.
According to Ryan, currently, signs are not pointing that Omicron can sidestep protection provided by the prevailing covid vaccine. Hence, the WHO authorities also added that people should get vaccinated for obtaining more protection. Similarly, Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that Omicron does not appear worse than prior strain based on other indications. However, “it almost certainly is not more severe than Delta. here is some suggestion that it might even be less severe,” added Fauchi.