It's the new Ninja Variant!
Posted on 12/08/2021 4:26:54 AM PST by fluorescence
Scientists say they have identified a “stealth” version of Omicron that cannot be distinguished from other variants using the PCR tests that public health officials deploy to gain a quick picture of its spread around the world.
The finding came as the number of cases of the original Omicron variant detected in the UK rose by 101 to 437 in a single day and Scotland announced a return to working from home.
The stealth variant has many mutations in common with standard Omicron, but it lacks a particular genetic change that allows lab-based PCR tests to be used as a rough and ready means of flagging up probable cases.
...
The discovery of the new form of Omicron prompted researchers to split the B.1.1.529 lineage into standard Omicron, known as BA.1, and the newer variant, known as BA.2.
“There are two lineages within Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2, that are quite differentiated genetically,” Prof Francois Balloux, the director of the University College London Genetics Institute, said. “The two lineages may behave differently.”
Scientists use whole genome analysis to confirm which variant has caused a Covid infection, but PCR tests can sometimes give an indication. About half of the PCR machines in the UK look for three genes in the virus, but Omicron (and the Alpha variant before it) test positive on only two of them. This is because Omicron, like Alpha, has a genetic change called a deletion in the “S” or spike gene. The glitch means that PCR tests that display so-called “S gene target failure” are highly suggestive of Omicron infections.
Informally, some researchers are calling the new variant “stealth Omicron” because it lacks the deletion that allows PCR tests to spot it.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Oops. Title should be “Scientists find ‘stealth’ version of Omicron that may be harder to track”
Wear a stealth mask.
Well, that's very sciencey!
That’s it!
Blame the PCR.
*screams*
*screams*
*screams*
You know you are approaching peak insanity when new variants of Covid are declared “stealth” as in we know they are out and we can’t detect them, so trust the government and science when we lock you down, force you into quarantine camps and force medical into your body
That didn’t take long...
https://www.labcorp.com/labcorp-extends-covid-19-genomic-sequencing-work-cdc
Ka-ching!
Of course they’ll blame the test.
I blame the shysters using a test meant for epidemiological use as a diagnostic test.
Get a load of this from April. Check out the info on the percentage of samples being sequenced and from where...
https://www.statnews.com/2021/04/06/stem-the-pandemic-national-covid-19-genomic-sequencing-effort/
We are entering Howard Hughes levels of germaphobia.
Go play in the dirt Aussies.
Everyone might have it, but we can’t test for it and nobody is showing any real symptoms.
Lock everything down, keep the fear going so Pfizer can sell more doses and then make huge campaign donations to the democrats.
Lather, rinse and repeat.
I’ve had more than enough of this s***.
It's the new Ninja Variant!
Or, Political scientists find omicron variant.
I thought the PCR test couldn’t even tell the difference between covid and the flu. Variants need full genome sequencing done to ID them. WTF are they trying to sell us here?
There’s no definitive test and there are no symptoms. We’re doomed.
.
Ohh, the stealthy version sounds so much more terrifying. LOL
Well by golly, I better run out and get my stealth vaccine.
#ForTheChirruns
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