Omicron: The latest SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 

The new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529) has been designated as a variant of concern (VOC) on 26^th November by the World Health Organization (WHO). First identified from Botswana, it has been detected in South Africa, Hong Kong, Israel and Hong Kong. There could be suspected cases in Australia, Germany, Czech Republic and The Netherlands. The new variant has more than 50 mutations, with 32 alone in the spike protein. Compared to other VOCs, there is an increased risk of reinfection with this variant.

As per the WHO, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) in cases of infection with this variant. This test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Countries have sounded the alarm and many have imposed travel restrictions for South Africa and many other southern African countries.

WHO updates its guidelines on management of children with COVID-19 associated MIS-C 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its guidelines on the management of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C). The two new recommendations include: 

• Conditional recommendation to use corticosteroids + supportive care (rather than either IVIG plus supportive care, or supportive care alone), for hospitalized children aged 0-18 years who meet a standard case definition for MIS-C.
• Conditional recommendation to use corticosteroids + standard of care for hospitalized children aged 0-18 years who meet both a standard case definition for MIS-C and diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki disease.

(Source: WHO, Nov. 23, 2021)

Antibodies from mild Covid-19 may not protect against new emerging variants

A preprint study from Australia involving 43 patients with mild Covid-19 has concluded that while 90% still had antibodies one year after recovery, but neutralizing antibodies against the original virus were detected in only 51.2%; the levels declined to 44.2% against the Alpha variant, 11.6% against Gamma and against 4.6% against Beta. Only 16.2% showed neutralizing antibodies against the delta variant. These findings suggest that the antibodies may not be protective against the new emerging variants… (Source: medRxiv, Nov. 11,2021)

A vendor in Wuhan market is probably the first Case of COVID

A vendor at an animal market in Wuhan, China, was probably the first person to contract COVID-19, with onset of illness on Dec.11, 2019 suggests a study reported in the journal Science discounting the earlier notion that the first person thought to have contracted COVID-19 was a male accountant in Wuhan who lived miles from the market, did not visit the market, and reported COVID symptoms around Dec. 16, 2019. “Hospital records and a scientific paper that reports his COVID-19 onset date as 16 December and date of hospitalization as 22 December indicate that he was infected through community transmission after the virus had begun spreading from Huanan Market.” … (Source: Medscape, Nov. 19, 2021)

Study shows direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 on blood clotting

Covid-19 is characterized by a hypercoagulable state, which has been attributed to the hyperinflammatory response induced by the virus. A new study reported in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules has now shown that the virus itself also has a direct effect on blood clotting and coagulation. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein competitively binds to heparan resulting in an abnormal increase in activity of thrombin thereby causing blood clotting and coagulation… (Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Oct. 29, 2021)