Omicron: How do you spot it?

The first cases of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have now been detected in the UK, after it was assessed by scientists in South Africa as a potentially worrying new strain.

Magnetic gauze PCR test, sent to a lab for analysis, to detect whether people have been infected with the coronavirus.

Depending on the lab the swab was sent to, some may also help identify specific variants, such as Delta or Omicron.

Around a third to half of UK laboratories – but not all – have the technology needed to do this.

PCR tests are tests you can order from government website if you have symptoms, or order from a private company if you need it for travel purposes. There are many different ways to do it.

PCR samples that tested positive for what looked like Omicron were sent to a lab for full genetic analysis, using a technique known as gene sequencing.

This confirmed that some people were indeed infected with the latest variant.

Analyzing the virus’ genetic material in this lab is key to spotting variants and figuring out how they work.

There are likely to be many more cases of this variant already in the UK, but still undetected, as it could take several weeks for the process to complete.

The dominant variant of the coronavirus remains Delta, which causes around 40,000 new cases a day in the UK.

Lateral or rapid flow tests, which can be used at home, can’t tell you what variant you have – but they’re still thought to be able to tell you whether you’re negative or positive, even with Omicron.

The Omicron variant has a lot of different mutations that have never been seen before and many have been.

A large number of them are on mutated viral proteins, which are the target of most vaccines, and that is the main concern.

In standard tests, Omicron has what is known as a “give-up S gene” that makes it fairly easy to track positives that resemble the variant.

But not all “gene S dropouts” are necessarily omicrons – full genome sequencing is required to be sure.

Analysis of the virus’s genetic makeup is an important part of determining which variant is involved.

Up to 20% of swab samples test positive in the UK each week, or around 60,000 cases, submitted for gene sequencing.

By scrutinizing the genetic material provided, scientists can confirm whether someone positive for Omicron or Delta is widely circulating.

This process only provides information about the swab samples analyzed – but using those results, scientists can estimate the rate of new cases that could be the new variant.

Scientists in the UK and South Africa are at the forefront of this technology, which is why most of the new variants have been discovered in these countries. But that doesn’t always mean they come from there.

Very little is known about how the variant works or how threatening it is.

For example, it’s not clear if it spreads more easily, if it makes people more unwell than other variants, or if protection from a vaccine would be less than previously thought.

But on paper, it sounds worrisome and that’s why governments are acting quickly, in case it’s bad news.