The new variant of Covid- Omicron, was first detected in South Africa on November 24. Ever since then, the variant has been rapidly spreading all across the world. However, it is still not clear as to where and how the variant emerged from. One clear thing is that it did not emerge from other variants of concern - Alpha, Beta or Delta. It emerged from the deadly coronavirus which has been circulating for over one year now.

Researchers have expounded several theories pertaining to the origin of this new variant. While few think that Omicron originated from a remote region of southern Africa others think that it evolved in infected animals, such as rats and then traced its way to humans.&nbsp;

Another explanation states that the variant came in from a person with a weak immune system - a person having cancer treatment or someone with uncontrolled HIV. Weak immunity allowed this virus to mutate.

Omicron has over 50 mutations. Out of this, at least 30 are in the spike protein that the virus uses to gain entry to host cells.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-could-cause-75000-deaths-in-england-by-april-2022-experts-436153">Also read |&nbsp;Omicron variant could cause 75,000 deaths in England by April, 2022: Experts</a>

The theory states that high levels of HIV patients in South Africa might have provided an ideal environment for the variant to evolve. Nearly two-thirds of the global population in the region is affected by HIV.&nbsp;

Dr Steven Kemp, a research associate at the University of Cambridge, while speaking to Medical News Today said, "The high prevalence of HIV in South Africa may have contributed to the evolution of the Omicron variant. However, it is important to emphasise that HIV is not the only disease [that] can cause immunosuppression in individuals.”

The World Health Organization has designated it as a "variant of concern".

The new Covid variant has created panic as countries have banned flights from South Africa where it was first discovered including other African countries.&nbsp;

Various countries have tightened curbs to control the spread of this variant.

(With inputs from agencies)

The new variant of Covid- Omicron, was first detected in South Africa on November 24. Ever since then, the variant has been rapidly spreading all across the world.

The new variant of Covid- Omicron, was first detected in South Africa on November 24. Ever since then, the variant has been rapidly spreading all across the world. However, it is still not clear as to where and how the variant emerged from. One clear thing is that it did not emerge from other variants of concern - Alpha, Beta or Delta. It emerged from the deadly coronavirus which has been circulating for over one year now. Researchers have expounded several theories pertaining to the origin of this new variant. While few think that Omicron originated from a remote region of southern Africa others think that it evolved in infected animals, such as rats and then traced its way to humans. Another explanation states that the variant came in from a person with a weak immune system - a person having cancer treatment or someone with uncontrolled HIV. Weak immunity allowed this virus to mutate. Omicron has over 50 mutations. Out of this, at least 30 are in the spike protein that the virus uses to gain entry to host cells. Also read | Omicron variant could cause 75,000 deaths in England by April, 2022: Experts The theory states that high levels of HIV patients in South Africa might have provided an ideal environment for the variant to evolve. Nearly two-thirds of the global population in the region is affected by HIV. Dr Steven Kemp, a research associate at the University of Cambridge, while speaking to Medical News Today said, "The high prevalence of HIV in South Africa may have contributed to the evolution of the Omicron variant. However, it is important to emphasise that HIV is not the only disease [that] can cause immunosuppression in individuals.” The World Health Organization has designated it as a "variant of concern". The new Covid variant has created panic as countries have banned flights from South Africa where it was first discovered including other African countries. Various countries have tightened curbs to control the spread of this variant. (With inputs from agencies)

Is HIV behind the emergence of Omicron? Here is what we know so far

Covid crisis seems to be deepening around the world. For last two years, the pandemic has led to loss of several jobs, lives, etc. Numerous attempts have been made to find a solution but to no avail. &nbsp;

Beginning with lockdown, several governments have halted international travels, imposed curfews, tighten border controls, made quarantine centres, build makeshift hospitals, carried out vaccination drives and what not. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Several scientists have also been spending numerous hours to understand the virus in the search for a solution. &nbsp;

But every time, a new variant comes and the world goes back to square one. Till now, the world has seen several variants of concern, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. And now, its Omicron. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/neither-nu-nor-xi-who-skips-two-greek-letters-for-naming-new-covid-variant-omicron-432328">Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant</a>

The variants have also emerged in different parts of the world, such as the UK, southern Africa, etc. &nbsp;

For last two years, masks have become the closest companions of the people. The craze has reached to the level of making it a fashion accessory. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Since the Covid started, these couple of years have been hard on many people as they forced people to restrict to homes, risk their lives in going out or understand the meaning of losing a loved one&nbsp;and not even being able to give a proper farewell. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The whole exercise seems to be a vicious circle as not everybody is following norms and the number of new cases never cease to exist. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-what-does-variant-of-concern-mean-432361" hreflang="en">Omicron: What does variant of concern mean?</a>

It seems only a mere reduction in the cases is just temporary and an indication that a new variant may crop up somewhere soon. The same has been happening unabated for last two years. &nbsp;

Every new variant has a high number of mutations, which makes it more deadly and transmissible. It also many a time makes the vaccine less effective. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The world has already witnessed several waves of infections. So, the question on several minds now is that will it ever get solved? &nbsp;

Well, this is a tough one and no one other than the future can decipher this deadly code.&nbsp;

Covid crisis seems to be deepening around the world. For last two years, the pandemic has led to loss of several jobs, lives, etc. Numerous attempts have been made to find a solution but to no avail.

Covid crisis seems to be deepening around the world. For last two years, the pandemic has led to loss of several jobs, lives, etc. Numerous attempts have been made to find a solution but to no avail. Beginning with lockdown, several governments have halted international travels, imposed curfews, tighten border controls, made quarantine centres, build makeshift hospitals, carried out vaccination drives and what not. Several scientists have also been spending numerous hours to understand the virus in the search for a solution. But every time, a new variant comes and the world goes back to square one. Till now, the world has seen several variants of concern, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. And now, its Omicron. Also Read: Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant The variants have also emerged in different parts of the world, such as the UK, southern Africa, etc. For last two years, masks have become the closest companions of the people. The craze has reached to the level of making it a fashion accessory. Since the Covid started, these couple of years have been hard on many people as they forced people to restrict to homes, risk their lives in going out or understand the meaning of losing a loved one and not even being able to give a proper farewell. The whole exercise seems to be a vicious circle as not everybody is following norms and the number of new cases never cease to exist. Also Read | Omicron: What does variant of concern mean? It seems only a mere reduction in the cases is just temporary and an indication that a new variant may crop up somewhere soon. The same has been happening unabated for last two years. Every new variant has a high number of mutations, which makes it more deadly and transmissible. It also many a time makes the vaccine less effective. The world has already witnessed several waves of infections. So, the question on several minds now is that will it ever get solved? Well, this is a tough one and no one other than the future can decipher this deadly code.

With emergence of new variants, will world get respite from Covid crisis ever?

We could have had a film on a pandemic with our very own Irrfan Khan but alas, he is gone too soon. Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan died on April 29 and sent shock waves around the world with colleagues and fans taking to social media to express their dismay and sadness.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-stars-salma-hayek-chris-pratt-mourn-irrfan-khans-death-author-paulo-coelho-quotes-bhagavad-gita-295985">Hollywood stars Salma Hayek, Chris Pratt mourn Irrfan Khan's death, author Paulo Coelho quotes Bhagavad Gita</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-directors-colin-trevorrow-ava-duvernay-pay-tribute-to-irrfan-khan-295603">Hollywood directors Colin Trevorrow, Ava Duvernay pay tribute to Irrfan Khan</a>

As for the film, Indian filmmaker Anand Gandhi, while talking of Irrfan recently spoke about the possibility of working with him for a film based on a pandemic.

Anand had met with Irrfan Khan around the release of ‘Maqbool’. They drove to Pune once and became friends over the years. They had explored the possibility of him starring in ‘Tumbbad’ and it was before the final script and schedule changes were made. ‘Tumbbad’ was loved by critics.

He revealed that Irrfan Khan could also have starred in the pandemic film ‘Emergence’, something that he had been working on for years. It’s been close to five years that Anand has been developing the script.

‘Emergence’ is about the story of five women scientists fighting the contagion and are superheroes in their own way. It would take the parasite-host relationship further. The script eerily represents the current scenario of the world. Tentatively titled 2020 at the time, he said that it had all the elements of storage crisis for scientific data, rightwing politics, among other things.

His idea is to make the film the most researched one on the pandemic. The filmmaker plans to take the film on the floor by next year.&nbsp;

Anand is collaborating with an American studio for the film and it will be a big-budget project.

We could have had a film on a pandemic with our very own Irrfan Khan but alas, he is gone too soon. Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan died on April 29 and sent shock waves around the world with colleagues and fans taking to social media to express their dismay and sadness.

We could have had a film on a pandemic with our very own Irrfan Khan but alas, he is gone too soon. Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan died on April 29 and sent shock waves around the world with colleagues and fans taking to social media to express their dismay and sadness. Hollywood stars Salma Hayek, Chris Pratt mourn Irrfan Khan's death, author Paulo Coelho quotes Bhagavad Gita Hollywood directors Colin Trevorrow, Ava Duvernay pay tribute to Irrfan Khan As for the film, Indian filmmaker Anand Gandhi, while talking of Irrfan recently spoke about the possibility of working with him for a film based on a pandemic. Anand had met with Irrfan Khan around the release of ‘Maqbool’. They drove to Pune once and became friends over the years. They had explored the possibility of him starring in ‘Tumbbad’ and it was before the final script and schedule changes were made. ‘Tumbbad’ was loved by critics. He revealed that Irrfan Khan could also have starred in the pandemic film ‘Emergence’, something that he had been working on for years. It’s been close to five years that Anand has been developing the script. ‘Emergence’ is about the story of five women scientists fighting the contagion and are superheroes in their own way. It would take the parasite-host relationship further. The script eerily represents the current scenario of the world. Tentatively titled 2020 at the time, he said that it had all the elements of storage crisis for scientific data, rightwing politics, among other things. His idea is to make the film the most researched one on the pandemic. The filmmaker plans to take the film on the floor by next year. Anand is collaborating with an American studio for the film and it will be a big-budget project.

'Tumbbad' director Anand Gandhi wanted Irrfan Khan for his pandemic film 'Emergence'

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