The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in countries across the world. It is resulting in world governments implementing strict restrictions and border curbs to contain the spread of the virus.

Even as earlier studies have suggested that the Omicron variant may be less severe than previous COVID-19 variants, reports have emerged noting that it is more transmissible than other variants. Furthermore, Omicron is highly likely to evade the protection offered by current vaccines developed across the world.

In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service underlined some of the prominent symptoms of COVID-19 including high temperature, new and continuous cough, and changes to sense of smell or taste among infected patients.

However, early signs are also suggesting other symptoms that may be more specific to the Omicron variant. These symptoms include sneezing, fatigue, headache, lower back pain, fever, scratchy throat, night sweats, and a runny nose. At the same time, some studies have revealed changes in sense of smell or taste are less likely to be a symptom of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Experts in Hong Kong also conducted lab testing of tissue samples. This research is indicating that Omicron has the potential to replicate up to 70 times faster in the airways leading to the lungs than the Delta variant.

The same Hong Kong study also explains the apparent mildness of the Omicron COVID-19 variant as it replicates 10 times slower in the lungs than the Delta variant of the virus.