South Africa reported the heavily mutated coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 on November 24, 2021. The first confirmed COVID-19 of the B.1.1.529 variant was found in a sample collected on November 9, 2021. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated this variant as Variant of Concern (VOC) and named as “Omicron.” It is the fifth VOC after Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.1 The Omicron variant has been mutated 50 times and obtained more than 30 variations to the spike protein.2-4 Most viruses use this spike protein to enter the body's cells, and most vaccines are made to target the spike protein. According to researchers, this new variant Omicron has a “very unusual constellation of mutations.” Human antibodies produced by the immune system targets mainly the spike protein to fight a coronavirus infection. Therefore, WHO described Omicron as a “worrying type” of coronavirus due to its heavy mutation and changes in spike protein.1 Besides, WHO said that we need more time to confirm whether the new strain of coronavirus is more contagious than other strains or whether the patient's condition will be more severe due to Omicron.1 However, a physician from South Africa who suspected a different coronavirus strain mentioned that symptoms of COVID-19 patients due to the Omicron variant were mild so far and could be treated at home.2

Moreover, South Africa is observing a record-breaking infection among its citizens who have been immunized by any type of vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Oxford-AstraZeneca.5 Therefore, it is a burning question whether the available vaccines are effective against this heavily mutated variant. The identification of Omicron has created new fears around the world, and people are now panicked again due to this heavily muted variant. Following South Africa, more than 60 countries have been detected with Omicron variant as of December 10, 2021,6 and the United Kingdon reported first known death of patient with omicron variant.7 Several European countries reported the presence of the Omicron variant among their citizens during the deadly fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the Delta variant in Europe.8 The Omicron variant arrived in Europe amid an already upsurge due to the Delta variant. The Delta variant now accounts for 99% of total COVID cases. At present, Europe alone is contributing more than 50% of the global COVID-19 cases.9 Moreover, Gao et al.10 assumed that the chances of creating new coronavirus variants are more in countries with frail healthcare infrastructure and lower vaccination rate.

The detection of the Omicron variant fueled widespread fear and alarm across the world. Many government authorities around the world declared border closures for travelers from South Africa and other neighboring countries. They have imposed new travel bans or various restrictions to prevent the potential Omicron outbreak that could resist vaccinations and upset a budding economic reopening after a 2-year global pandemic.11 According to experience, travel bans slightly reduce the spread of coronavirus. However, COVID-19 responses make human life and livelihood extremely complicated.12-19 Moreover, the general people in many countries protest over new restrictions due to the new waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.20

Therefore, it is essential to formulate and implement a more science-based strategy to fight this new strain. It requires more time to know reliable information about the transmission capabilities and other features of Omicron. Till then, we should emphasize mass immunization and public health protection measures. Therefore, the government authorities should prioritize vaccination of all adults, avoidance of public gatherings, the unveiling of new genomes, and monitoring the abnormalities in COVID-19 patients. In this case, the developed countries should give best help they can to those countries with frail healthcare infrastructure and lower vaccination rate, for providing COVID-19 vaccines and drugs even suffering financial loss. And WHO should play a big role in appealing and organization. The healthcare authorities should be more cautious in dealing with the most heavily muted Omicron variant of coronavirus. The law enforcement authorities should encourage the general population to follow the health safety guidelines to avoid any future devastating attack of COVID-19 due to the newly detected variant. The healthcare authorities should isolate COVID-19 patients promptly and arrange quarantine for others who come in close contact with the cases. Also, the healthcare authorities can separate persons with COVID-19-like symptoms and take initiatives for testing at the earliest possible time. Based on current situation, we do not see obviously increased severity and fatality in COVID-19 patients by Omicron yet,21 so over panic or overreaction should be avoided. The government and nongovernment authorities can organize public awareness campaigns at the community level to follow health safety guidelines for protection and reducing virus spread. Also, these initiatives might reduce panic about new coronavirus strains among the general population. The authorities can involve mosques, temples, churches, pagodas, and so on, and elected public representatives in their campaigns for easy accessibility and reliability of messages.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Md. Rabiul Islam devised the study and wrote the first draft. Md. Jamal Hossain edited and revised the manuscript. Both authors reviewed and approved the final submission.

All relevant data are within the manuscript.