A new mutation of “Omicron” – a strain of coronavirus was discovered in the Academic Laboratory in Sweden, in the city of Uppsala. This is reported by the newspaper Upsala Nya Tidning.
The mutation was recorded on January 14 in three people. The subspecies “Omicron” was named BA.2. According to the representative of the laboratory Mats Martinel, in order to understand whether BA.2 can compete with the previous version, more information is needed.
However, he added that there may be more cases of BA.2 in Uppsala, as the new subspecies requires deeper sequencing. In other words, there is a possibility that this mutation has not been detected in some patients with COVID-19.
However, the publication notes that the mutation was also found in Denmark, Norway and Indian Calcutta, where it began to spread widely.
Earlier in the day, British therapist Nina Aslam spoke about an unexpected Omicron symptom of conjunctivitis. According to the expert, the coronavirus can enter the body with the help of cell receptors that are in the eyes. They are located in the cells that line the retina, the whites of the eye, and the eyelids.
On January 14, virologist Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Sergey Netesov, in an interview with Izvestia, pointed out that Russia is on the verge of the most powerful wave of the pandemic in the entire existence of COVID-19. On January 13, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin instructed to assess the readiness of medical institutions to deploy additional beds and create a reserve of beds for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 against the backdrop of the spread of the Omicron strain.
On November 6, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated strain B.1.1.529, found in southern Africa, with the Greek letter Omicron. According to scientists, this strain is spreading faster than its predecessors.
A large-scale vaccination campaign continues in Russia. Citizens can get vaccinated for free. Six coronavirus drugs have been registered in the country: Sputnik V, Sputnik Light, EpiVacCorona, KoviVac, EpiVacCorona-N, and the Sputnik M vaccine for adolescents.
All up-to-date information on the situation with coronavirus is available on the sites stopcoronavirus.rf and access to everyone.rf, as well as on the hashtag #WeTogether. Coronavirus hotline: 8 (800) 2000-112.