Less than two weeks after scientists discovered the new variant "Omicron" in South Africa, data emerged indicating the presence of samples from a new variant with some similar and other different characteristics compared to "Omicron." Researchers found the new form of the variant, referred to as "Omicron Plus," in three countries: South Africa, Australia, and the United States, according to data published on the "GitHub" site, which is used by researchers to share information regarding the disease COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus.
The new variant exhibits many mutations that were identified in "Omicron," but not all of them. According to scientists, the new variant has several unique mutations. Due to the similarities and differences with the "Omicron" variant, which was first detected in South Africa, researchers named the new version "BA.2," while the original version is called "BA.1." Some scientists and media outlets have referred to the new variant as "Ghost Omicron" for its ability to mislead PCR tests regarding which variant it belongs to.
The seriousness of the situation lies in the fact that tracking the spread of "Omicron" will become more difficult, at a time when monitoring the variant is critically important for understanding its nature. The British newspaper "The Guardian" reported that seven cases of the new variant have been identified so far, so the picture remains unclear at this time. It is also not yet known how the new mutations in "Omicron Plus" will affect its transmissibility and severity of infection.
