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Researchers searching for omicron variant in North Carolina

Scientists in the Triangle are racing to detect the Omicron variant, with many of them believing it may already be here. They just need the data to prove it.

Posted Updated

By
Keely Arthur
, WRAL reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — Scientists in the Triangle are racing to detect the omicron variant, with many of them believing it may already be here. They just need the data to prove it.

As physicians who treat patients with COVID-19 prepare inside hospitals for whatever omicron may bring, researchers are studying positive tests for Omicron.

They say the faster we know it's here, the better able we'll be to deal with it.

Scientists from UNC Health, Duke Health and around the country are working around the clock to find omicron. At UNC Health, Dr. Melissa Miller and her team are sequencing thousands of positive tests from just this past weekend.

"Everyone is looking for the next great variant," said Miller. "So by the end of the week we will know at least through the 27th if we have any omicron or not."

How searching for the Omicron variant works

Once Miller receives a positive test, she studies it, looking for what's known as an 'S-Drop Out." This means the virus' spike protein is so mutated it can't be detected. That mutation indicates it could be the omicron variant.

Like all viruses, COVID mutates. However, the Omicron variant has Dr. David Montefiori and his team at Duke concerned because the number of mutations can make it more transmissible. Doctors are questioning whether or not the current COVID vaccines can fight the latest variant.

"We’ve seen at least three cycles of this virus," said Montefiori.

When asked whether Moderna may have to go back to the drawing board and develop a new vaccine, he responded, "Oh yeah, they are absolutely thinking about doing that."

Monoclonal antibody drugs may need to be updated in case the new variant spreads aggressively.

Earlier this week, FDA advisers narrowly voted to recommend emergency use of the first COVID-19 antiviral pill for at-risk adults. The drug, created by Merck, could become the first drug Americans could take at home to treat coronavirus. However, there are still some concerns about the pill. The recommendation came after hours of debate about the drug’s modest benefits and potential safety issues.

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