WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1 WEEKLY CURRENT . WEEKLY CURRENT . AFFAIRS . AFFAIRS . Webinar Handout Webinar Handout CONTENT. DECEMBER - 2021 (1st WEEK). Omicron Coronavirus Variant _____ 02-04. GDP grew in Q2, but recovery appears patchy _____ 05-07. Suspension of 12 Opposition Members from the Rajya Sabha ____ 08-09. National Health Accounts (NHA) - Fifth Edition _____ 10-12. New butterfly species in Sikkim _____ 13-15. 1. Omicron Coronavirus Variant Context: Recently, the Union Health Ministry informed that two cases of Omicron variant of covid -19 have been Mains Paper discovered in the state of Karnataka, India.

2 General Studies 2. Syllabus: Details: Issues relating to development The variant named Omicron is a variant of and management of Social SARS-CoV-2 that was first reported to WHO (World Sector/Services relating to Health Organisation) from South Africa on 24 Health, Education, Human November 2021. Resources It has been identified that the omicron variant of the coronavirus disease has 32 mutations. General Studies 3. Syllabus: 15 of the mutations are in a part of the spike protein that binds to specific antibodies and to ACE-2 Disaster and disaster receptors.

3 Management. o The coronavirus uses ACE-2 receptors, (found in our noses and other organs) to enter the body. o These mutations may make it easier for the virus to infect the body via ACE-2 receptors. The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) has advised WHO. that this variant should be designated as a Variant Of Concern (VOC) and accordingly WHO has designated as a VOC. Figure: Various Variants of SARS-CoV-2. Source: Note: The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent expert group that tracks the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations alter the behaviour of the virus.

4 A SARS-CoV-2 Variant Of Concern is a VOI (Variant Of Interest) that has been demonstrated to be associated with one or more of the following changes: o Increase in transmissibility;. OR. o Increase in virulence;. OR. o decrease in the effectiveness of public health measures or available diagnostic/treatment options. A SARS-CoV-2 Variant Of Interest is a SARS-CoV-2 variant: o with genetic changes that can affect the characteristics of virus like disease severity, transmissibility, immune escape etc;. AND. o that has been identified as causing significant community transmission in multiple countries.

5 What is known about the new variant? Emergence: According to the scientists, the unusual constellation of mutations suggests that it may have emerged during a chronic infection of an immunocompromised person, such as an untreated HIV/Aids patient. Symptoms: Currently there is nothing to suggest that symptoms associated with omicron are different from those of other variants. So far, no severe symptom has been noted across the world. Transmission: The R value (Reproduction number) is about for South Africa as a whole and in Gauteng province (where the variant is mainly concentrated - showing higher transmission).

6 However, epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if this increased transmission is because of Omicron or due to other factors. o Note: R value indicates how fast an epidemic is growing. Figure: Spread of Omicron Source: The Hindu Reinfection: Preliminary evidence has suggested an increased risk of reinfection with this variant. Diagnosis: CURRENT SARS-CoV-2 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) diagnostics are effective in detecting this variant. Vaccine effectiveness: A dramatic number of mutations has raised concerns that the antibodies from previous infections or vaccination may no longer be well matched.

7 However, scientists expect that the variant will not be entirely unrecognisable by the existing antibodies and that the CURRENT vaccines may still give protection (though with less effectiveness). Thus, CURRENT vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death. Effectiveness of CURRENT treatments/drugs: o As per WHO, corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers will still be effective for managing patients with severe covid -19. o Recently approved antiviral drugs like Merck's covid -19 pill, will work as effectively against the new variant.

8 This is because these drugs work by stopping the virus from replicating and do not target the spike protein. o However, there is a risk that monoclonal antibodies could fail or partially fail because they target parts of the virus that will have mutated. Way forward: Data collection: WHO is coordinating with researchers across the world to better understand the Omicron variant. All countries must contribute towards the collection and sharing of hospitalized patient data through the WHO covid -19 Clinical Data Platform to rapidly describe clinical characteristics and patient outcomes.

9 Better vaccines: Scientists are already working on updating vaccines, if in case a new version might be needed. o However, it could take about 6 months before updated vaccines are widely available. Measures that the countries need to take: o Enhancing surveillance and sequencing of cases;. o Sharing genome sequences on publicly available databases, such as GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data);. o Reporting initial cases or clusters to WHO;. Measures to be taken by the people: o Maintaining a physical distance of at least a metre from others.

10 O Wearing a well-fitting mask;. o Opening of windows to improve ventilation and avoiding poorly ventilated or crowded spaces;. o Keeping hands clean;. o Coughing/sneezing into a bent elbow;. o Getting vaccinated. With reference to the covid -19 pandemic, consider the following statements: 1. R-value (Reproduction number) reflects the rate of spread of the disease. 2. The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was first reported to the WHO (World Health Organisation) from South America. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2.