The new omicron strain COVID-19, during the next mutation, could take some of the genetic material from another respiratory virus, possibly causing the common cold. This conclusion was reached by a group of specialists from Nference, the results of their research are published on the OSF Preprints website.
The researchers said that this omicron-strain genetic sequence did not occur in any of the earlier variants of the coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, but is common in the human genome and in many other viruses, including those that cause the common cold.
Study leader Venki Soundararajan of Cambridge, Massachusetts, says the inclusion of this particular fragment made the omicron strain “look more human.” The scientist suggests that this will allow the new variant of the coronavirus to avoid attacks from the immune system. This may mean that it has become easier for the virus to enter the body from the body, but the disease will be mild or asymptomatic.
Scientists do not yet know for sure whether the omicron strain is more infectious than other variants, whether it causes more severe disease, or if it will overtake the delta variant in prevalence, the study emphasizes. It can take several weeks to get answers to these questions.
Earlier, British scientists, specialists from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), have determined the timing of the coronavirus pandemic. In their opinion, COVID-19 will be dangerous until at least 2026.
A new strain of coronavirus under the code B.1.1.529 was detected in South Africa on November 11, isolated cases were also recorded in Japan, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Egypt, Austria and other countries.
