New Stealth Omicron raises fears as it can escape RT-PCR test, Know what it is

A sub strain of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 known as ‘Stealth Omicron’ has been detected in around 40 countries including India. Reportedly, this sub strain is much likely to escape the RT-PCR test. The sub strain has caused a wave of fear across Europe.

What is Stealth Omicron?

The World Health Organization has categorized three sub strains of the Omicron variant- BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3. The BA.1 sub-strain is the dominant one among the Omicron infections. The sub strain which has the power to escape RT-PCR tests is the BA.2.

While BA.2 sub-strain shares 32 strains with BA.1, there may be more than 28 unique mutations to it. The detection of BA.2 sub strain in not easier as it does not have the same mutation as BA.1.

The BA.3 sub-strain is probably antigenically similar to BA.1 as it shares mutations at 417, 446, 484 and other key sites, informed the Member of WHO’s Vaccine Safety Net Vipin M Vashishtha on his official twitter account.

What do we know about BA.2-sub-lineage of Omicron? Is BA.2 different?

BA.2 shares 32 mutations w/ BA.1, but it also has 28 unique mutations. Some diff in S1. E is the same, N & M are diff in 1 mutation between the two variants.
And…quite a difference when we go to ORF1ab. 1/ https://t.co/qMjHUsV4J4 pic.twitter.com/sn0TB8avx3

— Vipin M. Vashishtha (@vipintukur) January 19, 2022

Which countries have detected cases of ‘Stealth Omicron’ ? 

The Stealth Omicron have been detected in 40 countries including India, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The highest number of samples of ‘Stealth Omicron’ or BA.2 have been reported in Denmark, followed by India, Britain, Sweden and Singapore.

Are RT-PCR tests not effective against BA.2 sub strain?

In a report by India Today, the Managing Director, Founder and Chief Radiologist of Mahajan Imaging Harsh Mahajan has said that the lab RT-PCR tests are still the gold standard test and there is no difference in the sensitivity or pick up rate between Omicron or the previous Delta while using this test.