Omicron thrives in airways
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The Omicron coronavirus variant can multiply within airways faster than both the Delta version and original strain, according to a Hong Kong University study awaiting peer review
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Supercharged spread: Omicron variant B.1.529 replicates around 70 times faster than Delta in bronchus – which connects trachea to lungs – within
24 hours of infection

Study finds that Omicron replicates more than 10 times less efficiently in lung tissue than original strain.

This may signal lower severity of disease

Trachea
Bronchus
Lung (inside view)
Heart

Virus
Antibodies
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Antibody response: Variant is found to be resistant to convalescent plasma – donated by people who have recovered from infection

Plasma contains antibodies (55%)

White blood cells and platelets (<1%)

Red blood cells (45%)

Vaccine efficacy: Variant can cause 21-fold reduction in potency of antibodies created by mRNA-based vaccines
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Sources: BioRxiv, ECDC, Reuters, Columbia University Vagelos College
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