The World Well being Group says new knowledge is rising day-after-day concerning the potential affect of the brand new omicron variant on the coronavirus pandemic, however that it’s untimely to attract conclusions concerning the severity of the an infection.
Since omicron was detected two weeks in the past in South Africa, it has unfold quickly to 57 international locations. The World Well being Group says sure options of the brand new coronavirus variant, together with its international pace and huge variety of mutations, counsel it might have a significant affect on the evolution of the pandemic.
WHO Director-Common Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says omicron seems to be extraordinarily contagious, with instances in South Africa rising extra rapidly than the delta variant. That signifies an elevated threat of re-infection with omicron, he says, however provides that extra knowledge is required to attract firmer conclusions.
“There may be additionally some proof that omicron causes milder illnesses than delta,” he stated. “However once more, it’s nonetheless too early to be definitive. Any complacency now will price lives. A lot of those that don’t die may very well be left battling lengthy COVID or post-COVID situation.”
Tedros says governments and people should act now and use all of the instruments accessible. He says all governments ought to re-assess and revise their nationwide plans primarily based on their present state of affairs and capability.
“Speed up vaccine protection in probably the most at-risk populations in all international locations, intensify efforts to drive transmission down and preserve it down with a tailor-made mixture of public well being measures,” he stated. “Scale up surveillance, testing, and sequencing and share samples with the worldwide group.”
The WHO chief is urging nations to keep away from what he calls the type of ineffective and discriminatory journey bans that have been slapped on southern African international locations days after they reported the presence of the omicron variant.
New proof, nevertheless, reveals that omicron was current in western Europe earlier than the primary instances in southern Africa have been formally recognized.
The WHO is warning that governments are prone to withhold essential scientific data in the event that they consider they are going to be punished for being clear.
The message could also be getting by means of. Tedros notes that France and Switzerland have lifted their journey bans on southern Africa. He’s urging different international locations to observe their lead.