What is the Main Danger of the New Omicron Strain?

The main danger of the coronavirus Omicron strain is that it has accumulated a large number of mutations, particularly in areas where antibodies produced by the human body typically attach. This could result in the immunity formed against other strains being ineffective against Omicron. This was stated to Lent by Ancha Baranova, a doctor of biological sciences and professor at the School of Systems Biology at George Mason University (Virginia, USA).

"There is a coronavirus S-protein (spike). It has a receptor binding domain (RBD), through which the virus penetrates human cells. This is like a button that protrudes from the S-protein, and neutralizing antibodies attach to it. There are ten mutations on that button," the expert noted.

She recalled that patients infected with the Omicron strain, who were hospitalized in Hong Kong, had already been fully vaccinated. This once again demonstrates that immunity formed by old vaccines may be ineffective against Omicron.

It is worth noting that the coronavirus strain coded B.1.1.529 was identified in South Africa on November 11. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized it as dangerous and warned those recovered from COVID-19 about the possible risk of infection with Omicron.