AN APPRAISAL OF THE OMICRON VARIANT OF COVID-19 IN NIGERIA

Code No: 324387

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ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on the appraise of omicron variant of covid-19 in Nigeria using Lagos State Ministry Of Health as a case study. To achieve this, the significant research objectives were formulated. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprises of staff of Lagos State Ministry Of Health. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 56 respondents while 55 were received and 50 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables and mean scores. The result of the findings reveals that the prevalence of omicron variant of covid-19 in Nigeria is high. The findings also revealed that Omicron variant of covid-19 significantly affects economic activities in Nigeria, and the measures put in place to curtail spread of omicron variant of covid-19 in Nigeria include; travel bans, movements restriction, enacting strict quarantine laws, and compulsory vaccination. In regard to the findings, the study recommends a deployment of effective PCR kit capable of detecting new B.1.1.529 variant in all laboratories; deployment of a fast testing kit at the entry point that can detect the new B.1.1529 variant for any suspected case; and efficient contact tracing (using technology) for all incoming passengers into the country.
Keywords: Covid-19, Omicron variant.

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19), which was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has spread fast to practically every corner of the world Lorfa (2020). The condition is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2, a novel and severe variant of coronavirus (sarscov-2)[1]. The coronavirus has caused not only interruptions in regular socioeconomic activity, but also disease and mortality due to its high contagiousness. Because there is no commonly accepted pharmacological solution, except for introduction of vaccines, the greatest method of prophylaxis may be preventative measures that counsel against infections and limit illness transmission [2].
However, though vaccines have been created and distributed, the virus keeps mutating. According to World Health Organization[4] there have been different variants of the virus with the latest being the omicron variant. On November 24, 2021, the World Health Organization received notification of a new variety of SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.529 (WHO). This new variety was discovered in specimens taken in Botswana on November 11, 2021, and in South Africa on November 14, 2021[4].
On the suggestion of who's technical advisory group on virus evolution, WHO recognized the variety b.1.1.529 as a variant of concern, naming it Omicron, on november 26, 2021[7]. This conclusion was made based on data submitted to the tag-ve indicating omicron has many alterations that may affect how it acts, such as how easy it spreads or the degree of sickness it causes. Researchers in South Africa and throughout the world have and are undertaking research to better understand various facets of Omicron, and the results of these studies will be shared when they become available[6].