Can PCR smears detect the Omicron variant?
- Date: 30-Nov-2021
- Source: Egypt Independent
- Sector:Healthcare
- Country:Egypt
Can PCR smears detect the Omicron variant?
The Chairman of Cairo Association against Smoking, Tuberculosis and Lung diseases consultant Essam Elmoghazy said on Tuesday that the Omicron coronavirus strain is very severe and almost unrecognizable from the virus that first appeared in Wuhan.
Elmoghazy added that what helped the World Health Organization determine the situation of the new mutant is South Africa’s transparency in announcing it as soon as it appeared, which led countries to take preventive measures such as banning flights from certain countries for a period of two weeks.
In statements to the Extra News satellite channel on Tuesday, Elmoghazy was unable to confirm whether a PCR swab is able to distinguish between Omicron and COVID-19, and whether currently available vaccines are effective in combating the Omicron mutant.
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