Stealth Omicron Variant: Biggest Covid Outbreak 

The Stealth Omicron variant has driven the latest epidemic in China, which is perhaps the country’s largest in two years. 

The deadly coronavirus has changed throughout time, creating new variants that drove every pandemic wave.  During the second wave, the Delta Variant was the most lethal. The third wave got fueled by the Omicron Variant, which got found in South Africa. 

The virus mutates because of environmental conditions and geographical location, resulting in many changes in the virus’s nature and structure. This new Omicron sub-variant differs from the parent variant. The “stealth” sub-variant of Omicron is problematic since it is hard to detect. Knowing the stealth variant’s symptoms might help you identify it quickly and prevent problems. 

Situation in China

On Tuesday, China reported 5,280 new Covid-19 cases, more than twice the previous day’s total and the highest daily total since the pandemic began. 

Because of the recent spike, at least 11 towns and counties throughout the country have been shut down, including the southern tech powerhouse of Shenzhen, which has a population of 17 million people. Permission from the police is required to leave the territory or move between cities. 

It will challenge China’s Covid Zero strategy, which depends on mass testing and strict lockdowns to combat infections. Most big cities have opted for more focused measures rather than drastic lockdowns.  

What is the Stealth Omicron variant?

The B.A.2 lineage of the omicron variant is also known as “stealth omicron.” According to a study done by Danish researchers, the BA.2 Omicron sub-variant is 1.5 times more transmissible than the original Omicron strain. 

Its genetic makeup differs a lot from that of the latter. Researchers say the Stealth variety has about 20 mutations different from Omicron. Because the Stealth Omicron variant differs so much from the Omicron type, it is impossible to determine its nature and severity. Predictions at this point would be inaccurate and might lead to misinformation. 

The COVID antigen tests are less likely to show that you have this virus because it moves toward the Gi tract. The PCR testing will still find it. The name Stealth comes from the fact that it travels beneath the radar. Regular testing shows that it is a delta variant of the virus. When more genetic testing gets done, it is clear that it is an omicron variant. 

Symptoms of Stealth Omicron variant

As per reports, Stealth Omicron is up to 30 percent more infectious. Most persons who have had Omicron report minimal nasal symptoms. Despite this, many individuals have been hospitalized and are still dying because of this variant. Initial research indicates that the Stealth Omicron reacts similarly to the vaccination as the original Omicron. Thus, immunizations and boosters still are advised. 

Dizziness and fatigue are early indications of Stealth. That might then lead to any of the following: 

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Abdominal Bloating and Pain

While Stealth does not cause loss of taste or smell, it may cause other COVID-like symptoms:  

• Fever 
• Extreme fatigue 
• Coughing 
• Throat pain 
• Headache 
• Increased heart rate 

Make sure you consider that this could be COVID before you go to work or meet people. You should avoid contact with others until your symptoms have disappeared completely, even if testing indicates that it is not infectious. 

China’s Lockdown: Threaten to Half of the Economy 

Across China, widespread restrictions like those recently imposed on Shenzhen’s southern technological center may hit half of the country’s GDP. 

So far, the restrictions on Covid Zero didn’t cause a lot of economic problems. But the economy is now more vulnerable to the more contagious omicron variant, says Louis Kuijs, the Asia-Pacific chief economist at S&P Global Ratings.

Across the world, the economic impact of Covid is going down as governments ease restrictions and more people move to a “living with Covid” attitude. “However, omicron poses a major threat to Chinese demand, production, and perhaps supply chains.” 

Investors were worried about the impact of new Covid-19 outbreaks in China and waited for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this week. On Monday, stocks and oil prices fell.

Apple’s shares dropped 2.7 percent after a major supplier’s production was interrupted by the Chinese closure. Other technological forerunners suffered as well. Amazon declined 2.5%, while Alphabet, Google’s parent, sank 3%. Following the coronavirus shutdown, China’s Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.6 percent.

Published by:  Shivani Bhalke

Edited by: Subbuthai Padma