COVID-19 Variants – How is Omicron Different from Delta

Posted on: Jan 12, 2022 | | Written by:

COVID-19 Variants – How is Omicron Different from Delta

Published on January 12, 2022. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

Difference between Omicron and Delta - Health insurance

No, it’s not over yet. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the world with new variants surfacing every few months. When the pandemic was finally slowing down and things were getting back to normal, the heavily mutated Omicron emerged. The new variant along with Delta is now spreading rapidly around the world, and many countries, including India, is witnessing a sharp rise in COVID cases every day.Hence, travel restrictions and partial lockdowns are back,and people are being advised to take all necessary precautions to stay safe and prevent the spread.So, besides taking care of yourself and your loved ones, make sure you keep health insurancepolicies handy for those uncertain times. In case of COVID-19 infection or any other medical emergency, the insurer will take care of your hospital bills and save you from financial setbacks.

Now, here’s some information on the two COVID-19 variants, how they spread and behave.

Where were Delta and Omicron variants first detected?

The Delta variant was first detected in India in December 2020. This variant led to the devastating second wave of the coronavirus in the country.

The latest Omicron variant was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from Botswana, South Africa in November 2021.

How did these COVID-19 variants spread?

The Delta variant had spread rapidly around the world in the first half of 2021. However, the variant sparked a huge and uncontrollable wave of infections, particularly in India and the United States of America, and made things miserable. The Delta variant was responsible for the massive second wave of COVID-19 infections in India.

The Omicron variant has been spreading fast in different countries since December2021. As per experts, this new variant is more transmissible than Delta. The rapid rise in COVID-19 infections in many countries due to the Omicron variant proves that. In fact, certain parts of Europe and the United States are witnessing a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of 2022, but fewer fatalities when compared to the second wave.

How transmissible are the two variants?

Both Delta and Omicron variants are highly transmissible. However, as per experts, Omicron has higher transmissibility when compared to Delta and it can be immune-evasive as well. Hence, it can also infect the previously infected and vaccinated.

How different are the symptoms?

The symptoms of the Omicron variant are milder than those of Delta. As of now, most people infected with the new variant are experiencing headaches, mild fever, cough, stuffy nose, joint pain and fatigue. Some may experience scratchy throat and excessive night sweats as well. The Omicron variant multiplies in the throat, unlike Delta that multiplies in the lungs. Hence, it has minimal impact on the lungs and respiratory health of the infected.

On the other hand, the Delta variant exhibits more severe symptoms, such as high fever, breathlessness, body pain, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea and temporary loss of smell and taste. This variant majorly affects the lungs and causes breathlessness. Severe cases of Delta can also cause lung complications, such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

How severe is Omicron as compared to Delta?

As of now, Omicron appears to be less severe than Delta as it does not affect the lungs of the infected. While re-infections and breakthrough infections have been a cause of concern, the good news is that most people infected with the Omicron variant have either experienced mild symptoms or have been asymptomatic. However, it is important to take all necessary precautions to stay safe as no one knows how the virus will behave in the long term. Also, take a good health insurance policy for yourself and your loved ones, if you haven’t taken one already. In case of a medical emergency, you can opt for quality treatment without worrying about the bills.

How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines against both variants?

Most vaccines approved in India and abroad, like Covaxin, Covishield, Johnson and Johnson and Moderna are effective against the Delta variant. They not only promise good immunity against the variant,but alsoprevent severe illness and death in casesomeone who is fully vaccinated gets infected with the virus. Recent studies have shown that the existing vaccines are effective against the Omicron variant as well. As per experts, the third dose of the vaccine can improve a person’s resistance to the new variant by about 88%. Although Omicron is dodging immunityand infecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated people around the world, the severity of the condition is low.

Conclusion

While Omicron appears to be less severe than Delta, it is too early to reach any conclusion. Scientists around the world are still studying how the new variant may behave in the future. Hence, do not let your guard down and take all necessary precautions to keep yourself and others safe. Also, make sure you have a health insurance policy with decent coverage. Health plans in India cover COVID-19 related treatments as well, so make sure you buy a good and adequate policy.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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