MU Health Care doctor: COVID-19 omicron variant being 'watched very closely'

While millions of Americans were enjoying Thanksgiving weekend with loved ones, international health officials were sounding the alarm on a “heavily mutated” coronavirus variant emerging in South Africa.

The World Health Organization announced Friday it had designated the new strain a “variant of concern” and named it omicron.

Not much is yet known about the new variant, but experts say it could take hold, causing infections to surge.

“Omicron’s very emergence is another reminder that although many of us might think we are done with COVID-19, it is not done with us,” said the WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

MU Health Care and the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services have expressed uncertainty about what effect the omicron variant could have in Columbia, as it hasn't officially arrived in the United States.

"We're all learning about this newly identified variant, and more information will likely come from the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in the coming days and weeks," Sara Humm, health department spokesperson, wrote in an email Monday.

Dr. Laura Morris, MU Health's vaccine co-chair, answered questions related to the new variant and its unknowns Monday.

The following Q&A has been slightly edited for clarity and length: 

In light of the delta variant's presence over the summer, how differently is MU Health Care looking at the omicron variant?

Morris: "There's a lot we don't know just yet, and this variant has been detected a bit more quickly than delta. It's been watched very closely in the early stages. The number of mutations in the spike protein mean that there's a potential for increased transmissibility, basically that it's potentially more infectious. That's the reason why the CDC really accelerated this into one of their variants of concern." 

Is there concern with the speed at which variants are detected when it comes to confirming potential cases from the omicron variant? 

Morris: "I think we learned from the delta variant and how quickly that spread and became dominant that we need to ramp up our surveillance and ramp up our sequencing. With PCR (polymerase chain reaction) techniques for detecting, we are able to monitor this a little bit easier and to detect it more quickly, whenever it is present. It is not feasible to sequence every positive COVID-19 test, so we're relying on other public health surveillance techniques and a certain percentage of samples that are sent in to be able to detect it. The reality is that if this variant is going to spread and be similar to delta, then it will be here before we know it." 

What surveillance strategies are in place to detect the variant in positive COVID-19 tests? 

Morris: "A certain percentage of positive COVID-19 tests are sent to the state for laboratory sequencing, and that's been happening throughout the pandemic. Not every test that comes back positive is sent for sequencing. For example, a new surge in cases or something that looks different to health officials can warrant sending different numbers of tests to the state to be sequenced."

Does MU Health anticipate a need for vaccination clinics to open back up with a spike in cases from the omicron variant?

Morris: "Right now we don't have any anticipated change in our plans. I think what we've seen over time is that vaccination has transitioned from something that could only be done in certain places and in high-volume clinics. We've really been able to disperse vaccines out into the communities. We still have more vaccine to give than we have people who want it. Closing the vaccine clinic on Keene Street does not mean that we won't be able to meet the demand. We are partnering with community vaccinators to make sure that everybody who wants a vaccine or a booster has access."

What are hospitals currently experiencing as far as capacity? What is anticipated to change with the presence of omicron?

Morris: "We are seeing an uptick in cases here, but that is independent of the omicron variant. We have been and remain prepared to handle this and any future COVID-19 surges. Right now, we are handling and managing the patients that we have without any specific concerns. I think we'll know more as we see how this variant affects cases and what our local community transmission looks like." 

Is MU Health expecting an increase in breakthrough infections? 

Morris: "Any kinds of mutations in the spike protein mean that it's possible that the antibodies from the vaccines may not bind as tightly or may not be as effective in preventing infections. We really need a bit more time to see how patient symptoms with this new variant play out. Are they getting more seriously ill? Is it more infectious with mild cases? Vaccination is still the best way to prevent infection and serious disease. All adults in the United States are eligible for a booster, so if they have received their second dose before June 1, it's time to schedule the third shot."

USA Today contributed to this report.