What we know so far?
India reports 1,94,720 fresh COVID cases, of which Omicron case tally stands at 4,868. The new, heavily mutated variant has become the most dominant strain in many of the Indian states and is said to have replaced the widely-circulating Delta variant.
Although the Omicron variant is said to cause mild infections, the rate of transmissibility is 4 times greater than the Delta variant. With the virus spreading like wildfire not just across the country but around the world, health officials and doctors are highly concerned, urging people to take all preventive measures.
On the other hand, some experts claim that widespread infection from Omicron could actually push the COVID-19 out of the pandemic phase. Let us find out what that means.
Read also: Coronavirus: How to know if you have caught Omicron or a Delta infection?
Does mild Omicron infection mean widespread immunity?
Given that the Omicron variant causes mild disease, with little to no requirement for hospitalisation and intensive care, experts believe that it could lead to widespread immunity.
If you're someone who has previously been infected with the SARs-COV-2 virus, you can certainly expect to have developed a certain level of immunity against the deadly virus, also known as natural immunity.
Many have come to the forefront and presented the idea that the new COVID variant, Omicron, could act as a 'natural vaccine'. Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, recently backed the notion saying that much like the flu, Omicron does not pose any dangers to healthy, fit people. Taking the risks into consideration, he also states that the Omicron could boost immunity without causing serious illness.
However, many have argued against the notion saying that it is a "dangerous idea".
Could the Omicron variant contain the COVID-19 pandemic?
According to top experts, COVID's Omicron variant is "almost unstoppable" and will eventually affect a large population, even with the booster doses in play.
However, given that the new variant primarily impacts the upper respiratory tract and does not cause major damage to the lungs, many believe that the disease is mild and that it does not demand any intensive care.
Read also: Coronavirus: Could Omicron variant act as a 'natural vaccine'? We try to find out
In light of such discoveries, Dr Monica Gandhi, infectious diseases expert of California University believes that if things continue as they are, that Omicron will help end the pandemic. As per a Bloomberg report, Dr Gandhi states, "The virus is always going to be with us, but my hope is this variant causes so much immunity that it will quell the pandemic."
The expert further adds that unless a more infectious variant emerges, the Omicron could turn the pandemic into an endemic.
An endemic would mean that the disease would not be of much concern and people will learn to cope and deal with it.
"Beginning of the end of the pandemic"
Earlier this week, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) raised concerns regarding the administration of a fourth vaccine shot, which is being considered in countries that have already initiated booster vaccines. According to the health agency, repeated boosters are not a "sustainable" strategy.
As per the EU's drug watchdog, the Omicron variant could be pushing the COVID pandemic towards a state of endemic.
Similarly a South African study has hinted that Omicron could possibly put an end to the pandemic and drive COVID-19 towards an endemic stage. “If this pattern continues and is repeated globally, we are likely to see a complete decoupling of the case and death rates,” the researchers said.
However, not everyone is of the same opinion, and many believe it could backfire.
Should we really let the new variant run free?
Experts, researchers and doctors have claimed that the Omicron variant could provide natural immunity to a vast population and that it could also end the pandemic. Some have even said that taking precautionary measures will only give rise to a super-variant, while restricting the possibility of widespread immunity.
Several arguments against the claims have been presented and many have expressed their doubts about the same. While some highlight the dangers of long COVID, which have been given no thought in the process, others say that letting the variant run free could strain the healthcare system to a great extent.