Experts say Omicron variant is cause for concern

COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ)

While there are still many unknowns about the Omicron COVID-19 variant, Columbia local health experts say people may want to continue or start practicing serious COVID-19 precautions such as masking indoors and social distancing.

At this time the Delta variant is the only variant we are seeing in the state, but experts say from what we are seeing in other countries, Omicron could quickly become the leading variant in the state.

Marc Johnson, microbiologist with MU, says the way Omicron has gained on the Delta variant in South Africa is alarming.

 "Why is it a concern? Well one is because its gained ground against delta and we have not seen any virus gain ground against delta," Johnson said.

Johnson said the variants large number of mutations is concerning.

"It has a lot of mutations and those mutations are not random, they are very clearly mutations selected to evade an antibody response," Johnson said.

The new variant has 32 mutations on its spike protein, which is the part of the virus responsible for infecting human cells.

Experts fear the number of mutations could affect our response to the Coronavirus vaccine.

 "This is a variant that we know will have some resistance to vaccines," Johnson said.

But MU Health Care Family Physician Laura Morris says it is still important to be vaccinated.

"Vaccination is absolutely the best way to prevent infection and serious disease," Morris said.

Experts are still unsure if the variant is highly contagious and if it will make people sicker, but they say until more is known, people should take the necessary precautions.

"Masking in indoor spaces especially in mixed groups is still important," Morris said.

Experts say everyone 18 and older should take the next step and get their booster as the new variant makes its way into the United States.