Within a month of the first community exposure to Omicron in Aotearoa New Zealand, the variant has already become theof COVID-19.
We are yet to see the rapid and steep rise in new Omicron cases that has been predicted. This could be because of asymptomatic transmission, but it is equally likely because public health measures included in the first phase of the “” have been effective.
For now, managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) at the border is successfullyfrom entering the community. While MIQ may, border restrictions may not lift.
The country-wide return to red settings under theto learn from. The most challenging phase is yet to come but New سԹcould beto tackle it.
The best way forward is to limit widespread transmission for as long as possible. This reduces opportunities for the virus to replicate, which is when, potentially extending the pandemic.
What we know about Omicron
Omicron isthan earlier variants. New سԹcan expect ain infections, especially as we’ve already had several potential.
As shown below, Omicron quicklyearlier variants.
Omicron’s transmission advantagedue to its ability to evade immunity (acquired through infection or vaccination) and quickly infect the.
The risk of reinfection also appears higher than for Delta, particularly in theand those with lowerloads during previous infections.
Symptoms to watch out for
Omicron symptomsa runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a.
However, New Zealand’s high vaccination rates mean some people may not have. The danger here is that they will still be able to pass on the virus to others, unaware they have Omicron.
It is best to assume that any symptoms, especially a sore throat, are COVID-19 until proven otherwise through a test. For Omicron, this may require saliva swab tests assuggests they are more sensitive than nasal swabs because the viral load peaks earlier in saliva than nasal mucus.
, we can avoid spreading it to others who may be at.
Compared to Delta, Omicron has caused lower hospitalisation and death rates in. This may be because it reproduces in the upperinstead of the lungs.
Omicron is also meeting populations with immunity acquired through previous infection or vaccination.
In New Zealand,have now received their booster, which offersfrom hospitalisation and death. Boosted individuals are up toto be hospitalised with Omicron, compared with unvaccinated people.
Vaccination is especially important in New سԹas we have had minimalto COVID-19 in the community.
Where to from here
Omicron is a “”. It is vastly more transmissible but less severe. However, it is not aand there isthe next variant will be less severe.
In a poorly controlled outbreak, a small percentage of a large number of cases risks, increasingand disrupting.
Healthcare workers are already over-burdened and exhausted from previous outbreaks, which havefrom other services and exacerbated.
There are several things each of us can do:
Anybody eligible should prioritise getting
we should all continue using the COVID-19 tracer app
we should keep indoor spacesby opening windows and doors
remains important, especially where physical distancing is difficult.
and anybody who feels unwell, should get tested and isolate.
Vaccinating children
As children return to school, we needԻ.
Data out ofindicate children aged five to 11 tolerated the vaccine well, with fewer side effects than adults.
Unfortunately, our analysis, along with, documents a concerning trend with lower childhood vaccination rates for Māori and Pasifika, as well as large variation between regions.
This is concerning as some countries, including the, have seen increases in childhood hospitalisation rates for COVID-19. In the UK, one in eight pupils have missed school as COVID-related.
The success story of the Delta outbreak
Unfortunately, there’s been little time to celebrate the rather remarkable demise of Delta. Even as Auckland opened up,.
Summer will have helped as people spent more time outdoors. However,such as border closures, managed isolation and quarantine and contact tracing have no doubt helped stamp out much of Delta, allowing asummer holiday period for many.
Continuing to keep Delta low also means we should not have to deal with a “”.
This success may also fill us with some hope that, just perhaps, we might be able to avoid the worst of Omicron during this next phase of the, withpublic health measures in place.
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