Brief look around the world

A look around the world shows that Omicron has filled up hospitals in the United States of America with more COVID- 19 patients than any other surge. However, they are milder and quicker to treat.

It had been noted that certain factors also contribute to the effects of Omicron on a patient, such as age. Hospital admissions were nearly three times higher among adults over 50 than those younger. This was while severe symptoms primarily hit two groups: the unvaccinated and the immuno-compromised.

Pfizer vaccine for children (6 months to 4 years old)

The US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) is considering authorising the vaccination of children 6 months to 4 years old, as they are the only age group not vaccinated in the US and a sharp increase in paediatric cases of the virus are being seen, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In December, Pfizer announced a low- dose trial for children – at a 10th the amount of the adult dose. However, it had not produced a strong immune response.

NeoCoV variant

Scientists from Wuhan, China, recently rediscovered the NeoCoV coronavirus spreading through bats in South Africa but reports are allaying fears and assuring that there is nothing to worry about.

NeoCoV is a virus with connections to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Discovered in 2012 and 2015 in West Asian countries, it is reportedly having ‘striking’ similarities to SARS- CoV- 2 ( novel coronavirus) in humans. Scientists, however, are saying it will not affect the human body.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said more investigation and research are needed to see whether the virus will pose a threat to humans.