Omicron Coronavirus variant is said to have “extremely high number” of mutations, reportedly much more than any other variant. It has sparked severe concerns across the world, with many countries imposing restrictions on flights from southern African countries where the B.1.1.529 variant was first discovered. World markers have taken another major hit over fears of increased infections and travel disruptions.

The variant is reported to have 32 mutations on the spike protein, causing concerns among scientists over the efficacy of the vaccine against the virus.

“The incredibly high amount of spike mutations suggest this could be of real concern”, Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College London, posted on a genome-sharing website. He also exclaimed that the variant has a potential to become a dominant strain.

Here's everything to know about the new strain.

What is the new variant and its origins?

Named Omicron by the WHO, the B.1.1.529 variant was first found in a country in southern Africa. While it was linked to the Gauteng province in South Africa during initial research, media reports confirmed that the variant did not necessarily originate there.

Earliest samples indicated that the variant was collected in Botswana on November 11. However, the WHO said the “first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on November 9.

What are the mutations of Omicron?

According to the WHO, Omicron has multiple mutations which were identified in all four variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma) and three variants of interest (Kappa, Eta and Lambda).

Omicron has about 50 mutations, with more than 30 of them found in the spike protein, according to Tulio de Oliveira, a bio-informatics professor who runs gene-sequencing institutions at two South African universities.

In a statement, Lawrence Young, a virologist at the UK's Warwick Medical School, said that it is the most heavily mutated version of the virus to date.

"This variant carries some changes we’ve seen previously in other variants but never all together in one virus. It also has novel mutations," Young added.

How dangerous is the B.1.1.529 strain?

It is considered to be a dangerous variant according to the scientists, noting that there are at least 30 modifications to the spike protein which permits Coronavirus to enter the human cells.

“It will take a few weeks for us to understand what impact this variant has,” Maria van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, said. She added that the variant is under monitoring across several parts of the world.

Do more mutations mean increased transmissibility?

Significantly, a higher number of mutations may not make a variant more transmissible. In August, a South Africa variant known as C.1.2 was discovered causing significant worries. However, it was not listed as a variant of interest or concern.

Media reports stated that the unprecedented number of mutations might work against the Omicron variant and make it ‘unstable’. Notably, an unstable virus is unlikely to become widespread, but it has not been confirmed yet.

“It is difficult to predict how transmissible it may be at this stage. For the time being, it should be closely monitored and analysed, but there is no reason to get overly concerned unless it starts going up in frequency in the near future,” Francois Balloux, the director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, said.

How will Omicron impact vaccines and COVID-19 therapies?

Scientists stated that it is too early to know that as there are less than 100 whole genomic sequences of the new strain available. It will further take time to compare it to other strains and its impact on the COVID-19 vaccines.

Scientists believe that the high number of mutations on the spike protein may allow the strain to evade the antibodies created by the human immune response system.

James Naismith, a structural biologist from the University of Oxford, told media that vaccines may be less effective against the Omicron variant.

In addition, scientists are expecting antiviral drugs, such as Merck’s pill, to work well against the new variant as they not target the spike protein. According to the Guardian, they work by stopping the virus from replicating. Quoting Wendy Barclay from Imperial College London, the New Scientist noted that the mutations could allow the new variant to resist antibody treatments such as those developed by Regeneron. "It is really a cause for concern," Barclay said.

How will it affect me?

While there is no cause alarm for fully vaccinated people, It has been advised to follow safety measures. Scientists also pointed out that it has the potential to dodge antibodies since the mutations are in the spike protein. Even as vaccinations have not been effective against all strains of COVID-19, it has significantly helped in preventing deaths, hospitalisation and reducing the severity of infections.

What should I do?

People must continue to follow the COVID-19 safety protocols including social distancing, handwashing, mask-wearing. Vaccination will also provide a huge help against infection.

Why is Omicron a variant of concern?

In a video published on Twitter, WHO’s Van Kerkhove said that Omicron is a variant of concern because it has some concerning properties.

“This variant has a large number of mutations, and some of these mutations have some worrying characteristics," Kerkhove added.

WHO's labelling Omicron a "variant of concern” is crucial as it is given to strains whose mutations could make the virus more contagious and vaccinations less effective.

Where did the Omicron strain come from?

Balloux, a geneticist at University College London, underlined that various mutations suggest that Omicron may have developed during a chronic infection in a person with a weakened immune system, possibly an untreated HIV/Aids patient. Bloomberg reported that the beta variant of COVID-19 identified in South Africa last year may have come from an HIV-infected person.

Which countries are affected?

Till date, around 100 cases of the new variant have been detected in South Africa with a majority of the reported in the Gauteng province, according to Tulio de Oliveira of Stellenbosch University. Early signs from diagnostic laboratories also suggest that the variant may be present in other eight provinces of South Africa.

Hong Kong has reported two cases, along with seven suspected cases in Israel. Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Britain and Australia have been detected Omicron cases.

What the experts say?

According to Sharon Peacock of the University of Cambridge, the data collected so far suggest that the new variant has mutations “consistent with enhanced transmissibility”.

“Of all the variants we have seen to date, this is probably the greatest public health concern we’ve had,” Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, said.

US infectious disease chief Dr Anthony Fauci told media that while reports on the new variant caused concerns, vaccines may still work to prevent serious illness.

The variant is the “most worrying we’ve seen". There’s mutations that increase infectivity, mutations that evade the immune response both from vaccines and from natural immunity, mutations that cause increased transmissibility," said Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser to the UK Health and Security Agency.