Omicron variant could cause twin outbreaks with Delta strain, expert warns

A vaccine expert has said the US could be hit with “twin simultaneous outbreaks” of the Delta and Omicron variant, as the new strain spreads across the globe.

US President Joe Biden speaks about the administration’s response to Covid-19 and the Omicron variant at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland on December 2. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP

A vaccine expert and scientist has warned of the likelihood of “twin simultaneous outbreaks” of the Delta and Omicron strain hitting the United States.

Co-Director of Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Dr Peter J. Hotez said it was a “plausible scenario” given the country’s sluggish 59.6 per cent fully-vaccinated rate.

“Here is what we might see unfold in 2022,” he writes in an article for the Daily Beast.

“Both variants circulate in the US, with the Delta variant disproportionately affecting the totally unvaccinated, while Omicron causes reinfections among those who have not been vaccinated but infected previously, or those who have not received their booster.

“And of course, this won’t be cut and dried or black and white – there will be overlap.”

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In response to the new variant, Joe Biden banned travellers from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe from entering the US. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP.

The US was particularly ravaged by the Delta strain through this year, after it was believed to have been discovered in India towards the end of 2020. However, Dr Hotez believes “Delta will continue to circulate in the US,” unlike other displaced variants, like Alpha.

According to Yale Medicine it now accounts for over 99 per cent of Covid cases, carries a higher hospitalisation rate and is believed to be twice as contagious as other strains as well.

To date, the US has recorded 777,000 Covid-related deaths, however the US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky previously warned their health system was already “in dire straits”.

“That means that we are talking about who is going to get a ventilator, who is going to get an ICU bed,” she said in September.

The US has increased their Covid testing in airports as a way to detect incoming Omicron cases. Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

This comes as the US has recorded three cases of the new Covid-19 strain – one in a Californian woman returning from South Africa and two new cases in Colorado and Minnesota.

While the California and Minnesota case had both recently travelled to South Africa, the Colorado male had not travelled internationally. Instead, health authorities believe he may have contracted the virus while attending an anime convention in New York City from November 19-21. This has also prompted fears the new variant may also be in the community.

“It is likely that this is not an isolated case, meaning that there is ongoing community spread of the Omicron variant in NYC,” tweeted the Health Commissioner of New York, Dr Dave Chokshi.

More information needed

Despite Dr Hotez’s dire predicament, the vaccine developer did stress that there is “relatively little” information about the new variant as it currently stands.

While it’s been listed as a ‘variant of concern’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the health body has yet to confirm whether it’s indeed more transmissible or severe than other variants.

However, preliminary evidence does suggest it may be more transmissible. This is based on reports that cases of the Omicron variant in South Africa increased from 200 to 2000 cases in just 10 days.

“The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors,” the health organisation writes.

Preliminary evidence also suggests the Omicron may carry an “increased risk of reinfection” and people who have previously had Covid-19 may become reinfected more easily, however, they do stress that information is limited.

US records first case of Omicron

In light of the new cases, experts and the US health authorities are emphasising the importance of vaccine booster shots.

“A bottom line is that whether you are concerned about Delta, Omicron, or both, your strategy to protect the health of you or a loved one is the same,” wrote Dr Hotez. “Get your third mRNA immunisation if you are eligible and haven’t done so already.”

Dr Hotez also quoted advice from the Israeli Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz who suggested that initial indications prove triple-vaccinated individuals are also protected from the new strain, despite its large number of mutations.

“In the coming days we will have more accurate information about the efficacy of the vaccine against Omicron but there is already room for optimism,” said Mr Horiwitx during a visit to a hospital.

“There are initial indications that those who are vaccinated with a vaccine still valid or with a booster will also be protected from this variant.”

While it has yet to be officially confirmed, initial investigations suggest triple-vaccinated individuals have greater protection against Omicron than those who are double-dosed. Picture: Brenton Edwards/NCA NewsWire

Australians looking to get the third booster shot will still need to wait six months after their second vaccine dose, despite fears the new variant could shorten this window. This comes as NSW recorded its eight case of the Omicron strain in a traveller who flew into the country from Singapore and had previously visited southern Africa.

Speaking to media on Friday morning, Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation would be sticking by their initial decision after reviewing the current evidence.

“There is no evidence to suggest that an earlier booster dose of the current Covid-19 vaccines will augment the protection against the Omicron (variant),” he said.