Ziqitza Limited Rajasthan - New COVID variants! What should we be worried about
                     Ziqitza Limited Rajasthan - New COVID variants! 
What should we be worried about?
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the year 2020, 
several variants of the coronavirus have been reported and are 
under investigation. However, with the rise of each new variant, 
few questions get raised - How fatal is the virus? Will the COVID-
19 vaccination provide enough protection? Will the vaccine work 
against the new variant? And are there any new guidelines or 
precautions that need to be followed?
 
Ziqitza, one of the country’s leading healthcare organisations 
explains that typically variants of a virus occur, when the virus’ 
genes changes or undergoes mutation. Ziqitza Healthcare further 
explains that RNA viruses such as Coronavirus generally evolve 
and change. Various geographies play a crucial role resulting in 
genetically distinct variants. As a matter of fact, mutations in 
viruses is a common phenomenon and all RNA viruses mutate 
over time, for example, the flu virus mutates more than often 
which is why physicians recommend getting a flu shot every year.
 The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified the COVID-19 virus into 
three broad categories:  
Variant of interest: This refers to coronavirus variants which in 
comparison to the earlier variants of the virus have greater 
transmissibility ratio, can evade diagnostic testing and immunity 
barriers, and are also more severe.
Variant of concern: These are variants that are capable of 
causing breakthrough infections. They are observed to be more 
infectious, and can cause re-infections in people who were 
previously infected or who are vaccinated. Similar to variants of 
interest, these variants can also evade diagnostic testing and are 
severe in nature. Examples of variants of concern are alpha, beta, 
gamma, delta and omicron.
Variant of high consequence: These variants are the ones which 
cannot be prevented by the vaccines, the vaccines do not offer 
protection against them. At present, there are no variants of high 
consequence of coronavirus.
Can the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots offer protection 
against new variants?
Ziqitza Healthcare ltd points out scientific evidence and stresses 
that some vaccine driven immune systems might prove less 
protective against some of the variants. People who stand eligible 
for booster shots must go ahead and obtain the COVID-19 
booster shots for increased protection against the coronavirus 
variants. Ziqitza Rajasthan agrees with Ziqitza limited’s advice 
and further suggests that, part of the population that is 
inoculated must continue following COVID-19 guidelines and 
protocols as laid down by the World Health Organisation and 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and keep an eye 
open for any new guidelines. People must continue following 
safety protocols such as hand sanitisation, hand hygiene, 
respiratory hygiene, and physical distancing.
The Omicron variant: What is its severity
ZHL Rajasthan states that the omicron variant emerged in 
November 2021 and was termed as a variant of concern by the 
World Health Organisation. The omicron variant has been 
responsible for the largest surge in COVID-19 positive cases since 
the year 2019. Positive cases were largely reported from areas 
from where the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and relaxations 
were given. Ziqitza Limited Rajasthan further elaborates that the 
Omicron variant had a large number of mutations and as a matter 
of concern almost all of these mutations appeared at similar time. 
The efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines over Omicron variant
Ziqitza Health care limited affirms that being fully vaccinated and 
inoculating with booster shots after eligible safeguards and 
protects you against the coronavirus variants. Although there 
might be breakthrough infections or cases of re-infections, the 
severity would be manageable and can be controlled. 
 
How safe are children? Can new variants affect children more 
than other strains?
The widespread infection during the Delta and Omicron surge 
witnessed an increased number of positive cases in children as 
well. However, there is no scientific evidence that suggests the 
existence of a variant that is particularly dangerous for children. 
India has begun vaccination for children, and it is suggested to get 
them vaccinated, as soon as it is their turn.
Is the pandemic over? Will there be more variants?
No, the coronavirus pandemic is not over yet. The virus will continue to mutate till the time 
it continues to spread among the population. Almost every week new mutations are 
discovered. 
 One can only hope that there are no fatal mutations and the pandmeic gets over as soon as 
possible. However, the future is uncertain and the best we can do is to continue following 
COVID-19 guidelines and protocols, even in the areas with relaxations. Our safety is in our 
hands.