Still ‘not clear’ if Omicron COVID variant is more transmissible or more severe than Delta: WHO

The experts of the UN wellness bureau said researchers successful South Africa and astir the satellite are presently conducting studies to amended recognize the aspects of Omicron, but arsenic of close now, it is not wide whether it is much transmissible compared to different variants, including Delta.

“The fig of radical investigating affirmative has risen successful areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to recognize if it is due to the fact that of Omicron oregon different factors”, WHO’s Technical Advisory Group connected Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) explained successful a statement.

The Group besides highlighted that it is not wide whether corruption with Omicron causes much terrible disease compared to infections with different variants.

“While preliminary information suggests that determination are expanding rates of hospitalization successful South Africa, this whitethorn beryllium owed to expanding wide numbers of radical becoming infected, alternatively than a effect of a circumstantial corruption with Omicron”, the experts said.

They added that presently determination is nary accusation to suggest that Omicron causes antithetic COVID-19 symptoms.

Higher hazard of reinfection

However, the TAG-VE reaffirmed that preliminary grounds indicates that people who person antecedently had COVID-19 could go reinfected much easy with Omicron erstwhile compared to different variants of concern.

So far, the initially reported infections were among younger individuals who thin to person much mild disease, “but knowing the level of severity of the Omicron variant volition instrumentality days to respective weeks”, the experts said.  

The radical emphasised that is moving with partners to recognize the imaginable interaction of this variant connected vaccines, the effectiveness of existent PCR tests, and existing treatments, but much accusation is inactive needed.

IMF/James Oatway

A unpaid carer called Trinity is moving successful a COVID-19 tract infirmary successful Nasrec, Johannesburg.

Keep the borders unfastened and travel science

As a increasing fig of countries person imposed formation bans connected confederate African nations owed to concerns implicit the Omicron variant, the UN wellness bureau urged them to travel grounds and International Health Regulations calling for ‘borders to stay open’.

While question restrictions whitethorn play a relation successful somewhat reducing the dispersed of COVID-19, ‘they spot a dense load connected lives and livelihoods’, the bureau said successful a connection published connected Sunday.

“If restrictions are implemented, they should not beryllium unnecessarily invasive oregon intrusive and should beryllium scientifically based, according to the International Health Regulations which is simply a legally binding instrumentality of planetary instrumentality recognized by implicit 190 nations”, WHO highlighted.

While investigations proceed into the Omicron variant, the UN bureau recommends countries to instrumentality a risk-based and technological attack and enactment successful spot measures that tin bounds its imaginable spread.

“With the Omicron variant present detected successful respective regions of the world, putting successful spot question bans that people Africa attacks planetary solidarity. COVID-19 perpetually exploits our divisions. We volition lone get the amended of the microorganism if we enactment unneurotic for solutions,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Flight bans person been imposed connected confederate African countries, but truthful acold lone 2 person detected the caller variant. Meanwhile, countries successful different regions person reported cases of Omicron.