The Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to mutate, one of which becomes the BA.2 subvariant or what is known as the stealth omicron. The public is asked to remain calm and always obey the Health Protocols as the key to dealing with the spread of the virus.
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist and Covid-19 Technical Lead at the World Health Organization (WHO), Maria Van Kerkhove said that the Omicron variant did not stop at BA.2. even the latest news that there is already a BA.3 variant.
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On March 5, 2022, Maria reported that the Omicron BA.2 subvariant which was initially considered severe was apparently rated as mild as BA.1. Only then did Maria mention the existence of Omicron Siluman from another subvariant, namely BA.3.
With the report of the Omicron BA.3 subvariant, WHO seems to indicate that the Covid-19 pandemic is not really over, and SARS-Cov-2 or Corona Virus is still a dangerous virus that lurks all around us. In Indonesia alone, as of March 5, 2022, Omicron Siluman cases have increased to 335 people.
The Omicron variant was first detected in November 2021. Exactly on November 26, 2021, WHO has designated it as a Variant of Concert (VoC) or an alarming variant. WHO explains that Omicron includes the Pango lineage B.1.1.529 and the Pango lineage BA.1, BA.1.1. BA.2 and BA.3.
A research study published on January 18, 2022 in the Journal of Medical Virology has also confirmed the existence of the BA.3 sub-lineage. Still from the study it is known that the subvariant Omicron BA.3 was first detected in northwest South Africa.
According to a study on January 11, 2022, of the total genome sequences submitted to the GISAID database, only 0.013 percent were Omicron BA.3 subvariants and the highest was BA.1.
Further studies found that there were fewer mutations in BA.3 than BA.1 and speculated that the loss of mutations might be the reason why BA.3 had a lower number of infections. Maria said that BA.3 has been referred to as the less common Omicron lineage by many studies.
By far the dominant subvariants of Omicron are BA.1 and BA.2, neither of which differ in the severity of their evoked. It should also be noted that the symptoms of the stealth Omicron infection are not much different from Covid-19 in the previous variant. Meanwhile, symptoms such as loss of sense of smell and taste were not detected in this stealth Omicron Covid-19.
Transmission of this stealth Omicron variant of Covid-19 can occur in several ways, such as between humans directly or indirectly on tables, doorknobs, handles and others, touching the eyes, nose or mouth after handling something contaminated with the Corona virus.
In addition, infection also occurs through secretions released from the mouth or nose of Covid-19 patients such as saliva, droplets, coughing, sneezing and so on. It is feared that this Omicron subvariant may trigger severe symptoms of the original variant. But so far the government has not shown any difference between the stealth Omicron and Omicron variants.
The criteria for the Omicron variant is the loss of three genes that can be found from the PCR test. However, for this stealth Omicron subvariant, there is no missing gene like the previous variant.
On a different occasion, the Spokesperson for the Covid-19 Vaccination of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi said, the Omicron BA.2 subvariant or Omicron Siluman has the ability to spread faster than the current Omicron variant. Therefore, early detection of Covid-19 symptoms with a PCR test or rapid antigen test is considered effective in preventing the occurrence of a wider cluster of transmission.
Doctor Nadia had said that the BA.2 subvariant could cause people who were exposed to experience prolonged illness. He also said that the Omicron BA.2 subvariant or stealth Omicron had the ability to transmit faster than the current Omicron. Therefore, both PCR and rapid antigen tests are considered effective in preventing wider transmission.
The existence of covid-19 in various variants, of course, we should be aware of, obeying Prokes to comply with vaccinations so that the body can provide protection when contracting the Corona virus.
