World Health Organization warns of very high risk posed by Omicron variant: Coronavirus Update: NPR
People step off a tram in Nottingham, England, the city where one of two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was identified last week.
Joe Giddens – PA Image / PA Image via Getty Images
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Joe Giddens – PA Image / PA Image via Getty Images
People step off a tram in Nottingham, England, the city where one of two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was identified last week.
Joe Giddens – PA Image / PA Image via Getty Images
The World Health Organization warns that the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus poses a “very high” risk globally, with the possibility that it spreads more easily and may be resistant to vaccines and immunity in people who have been infected with previous strains.
In one Technical summary On Sunday, the WHO warned 194 member states that the multitude of mutations of the new variant “could confer immunity escape and possibly an advantage in transmissibility”, and as a result ” the possibility of further spreading Omicron on a global level is very high.”
It said that the risk to vulnerable populations – particularly in countries with low vaccination rates – could be “significant.”
However, it cautioned that there was still considerable uncertainty about the virus, including how easily it spreads, how dangerous it is, whether it can avoid vaccines and immunity, how it response to diagnostic and therapeutic tests and even its specific symptoms.
“Vaccines were designed to keep people out of the hospital, essentially, and they’ve stood their ground and done that very well,” said Dr. Margaret Harris, a public health physician and developer. WHO language, told NPR’s Morning version in Monday. “So we really need to know if this particular version changes that picture.”
The Omicron variant is was first reported last week in South Africa, where infections caused by the new strain of bacteria have increased sharply in recent days. Since then, it has been found in more than a dozen countries, including Botswana, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Israel, Australia and Hong Kong.
To date, there have been no reported deaths associated with the Omicron variant. Meanwhile, many countries, including America, re-imposed some travel restrictions in an attempt to prevent the spread of the new variant.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to announce any cases of Omicron in the US, although the White House’s chief medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci has said he believes it is inevitable at a certain point.
On Sunday, the WHO warned of the possibility of a “future increase in COVID-19 that could have serious consequences, depending on a number of factors including where it could be.” cause an increase.”
The summary recommends that countries strengthen surveillance and sequencing efforts and accelerate COVID-19 vaccination coverage. It also offers advice on new social distancing restrictions and contact tracing.
“In anticipation of increased COVID-19 volumes and associated pressures on the health system, ensure mitigation plans are in place to maintain essential health services and healthcare resources.” needed health is provided to cope with possible surges”.
Speaking on Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Global health security is too important to be left to chance, or goodwill, or changing geopolitical flows, or vested interests of companies and shareholders.”
“Omicron demonstrates why the world needs a new pandemic agreement, noting that the emergence of a new variant shows how ‘dangerous and precarious’ the current situation is,” he said. .
