Everything We Know About the Omicron Variant
Published Date: 12/3/2021
Source: Bloomberg Quicktake: Now
The omicron variant is characterized by some 30 or more changes in the spike protein, half of which are in the area that binds to the enzyme that the coronavirus targets to enter cells and cause an infection. Mutations there can make the pathogen less recognizable to the antibodies made in response to vaccination or a natural infection, increasing the risk of an omicron infection. At least three mutations are associated with helping the virus escape detection from antibodies and another appears to increase its ability to gain entry to human cells, making it more transmissible. Disease patterns emerging in South Africa indicate omicron will out-compete the delta variant, though more epidemiologic data are needed to confirm and quantify this. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2TwO8Gm Subscribe to our newest channel Quicktake Explained: https://bit.ly/3iERrup Bloomberg Quicktake brings you live global news and original shows spanning business, technology, politics and culture. Make sense of the stories changing your business and your world. To watch complete coverage on Bloomberg Quicktake 24/7, visit http://www.bloomberg.com/qt/live, or watch on Apple TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Fire TV and Android TV on the Bloomberg app. Have a story to tell? Fill out this survey for a chance to have it featured on Bloomberg Quicktake: https://cor.us/surveys/27AF30 Connect with us on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Bloomberg Breaking News on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BloombergQuickTakeNews Twitter: https://twitter.com/quicktake Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quicktake Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quicktake