It’s only natural to feel worried about the Omicron – the latest Covid-19 variant of concern – in the UK.
Scientists are concerned about its large number of mutations, meaning it may be more transmissible than previous variants. Some are worried it’ll ‘spark a major new wave’ of the virus.
But, it’s early days yet. A new study gives us a bit of hope that booster vaccines will provide some immunity – and England brought back face masks to try and stop the spread.
But how do scientists detect the new variant – and is there any way to know if you personally have Omicron or not?
There’s a lot to unpack, but here’s what you need to know.
How can the Omicron Covid variant be detected?
If you suspect you have Covid-19, or are showing Covid-19 symptoms, you should take a lateral flow or PCR test to confirm.
If you’ve tested positive on a lateral flow, there’s no way to know what kind of Covid-19 you’ve got. These tests only tell you whether you’re positive or negative for the virus.
With a positive PCR result, you may be able to find out which variant of Covid-19 you’ve got.
A full genome sequencing test would reveal the variant you have – but only about half of the UK’s laboratories can do this type of test right now. It also takes a few days to produce results.
In NHS Test and Trace laboratories, meanwhile, a type of genome sequencing called ‘genotype assay testing’ has been since around March 2021 to help spot specific variants quickly.
Essentially, this test looks closely at the virus’ genome make-up to determine exactly what type it is – which helps public health bodies keep track of ‘variants of concern’.
Right now, this type of test for Omicron doesn’t exist – but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working on it.
UKHSA has not announced when it believes the test could become available.
Omicron can still be picked up on in other ways – such as lab technicians looking for an ‘S-gene dropout’ – before it’s fully confirmed, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Omicron doesn’t present with an ‘S-gene’ that is seen in other variants, such as Delta. Currently, the Delta variant is the most common in the UK. It’s now commonly found all over the world.
How Omicron is being traced in the UK
Surge testing is happening in parts of the country where Omicron has already been found, as part of the government’s measures to stop it spreading everywhere.
‘Surge PCR testing and enhanced contact tracing are underway where cases have been identified,’ reads a statement on the government website.
‘The [UKHSA] is carrying out targeted testing at locations where the positive cases were likely to have been infectious. Confirmed cases and contacts are being followed up and requested to isolate and get tested as necessary.’
If you are suspected to have come into contact with a possible Omicron case – you’ll be contacted by Test and Trace, and you’ll have to self-isolate for 10 days (even if you’re double-jabbed).
Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of UKHSA, said on December 2: ‘We are continuing our efforts to understand the effect of this variant on transmissibility, severe disease, mortality, antibody response and vaccine efficacy.
‘It is very likely that we will find more cases over the coming days as we are seeing in other countries globally and as we increase case detection through focused contact tracing.
‘That’s why it’s critical that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms isolates and gets a PCR test immediately.’
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