Fear has returned as a new study raises concerns about the spread of the new variant of the novel coronavirus, "Omicron," despite quarantine measures. This follows the confirmation of two cases linked to each other through the air at a quarantine hotel in Hong Kong. It was confirmed that two fully vaccinated individuals contracted the Omicron variant in separate rooms, suggesting transmission occurred between those rooms, which has intensified worries among healthcare experts regarding the rapid spread of the pandemic.
Sources stated that specialists reported the discovery of an asymptomatic traveler, who was fully vaccinated, in a quarantine hotel in Hong Kong. The second case involved another fully vaccinated person, who was staying in a room across the same corridor from the first infected individual, indicating the possibility of airborne transmission despite strict quarantine precautions.
Patient A tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 without symptoms on November 13, 2021, and was subsequently hospitalized and isolated. Meanwhile, Patient B exhibited mild symptoms on November 17, 2021, and also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, closed-circuit television footage revealed that neither patient left their rooms nor had any contact with each other, raising concerns about the virus potentially spreading through the air, such as when doors are opened to collect food or during COVID testing.
Conflicting Reports on "Omicron"
It is noted that there are conflicting reports regarding whether "Omicron" causes mild or severe illness and its effect on vaccine effectiveness. More challenging is that scientists will not know these answers for certain until three more weeks have passed, as they can isolate the virus in the laboratory and expose it to the blood of previously infected or vaccinated individuals.
"Omicron" emerged about two weeks ago in several countries in Africa before spreading to around 40 other countries. The World Health Organization has called for caution and a return to preventive measures, including vaccination, wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and ventilating indoor spaces. However, it has also urged against panic, closing borders, and halting flights between countries where the new variant has appeared, deeming such measures ineffective.
