It is not yet clear if the new Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is more contagious than the others or if it causes a more serious illness, announced tonight World Health Organisation.
“Preliminary data suggest that there is an increase in hospitalization rates in South Africa, but this may be due to an increase in the total number of people being infected,” and may not be the result of this Omicron infection, the statement added.
However, the Agency reiterated that initial data suggest that there may be a higher risk of re-infection with this variant.
The WHO assured that it is working with technical experts to understand the potential impact of the variant on existing countermeasures, including vaccines. “Currently, there is no information to suggest that Omicron’s symptoms are different from those of other variants,” he said, adding that the first cases were among students, young people who tend to have milder symptoms. “It will take days, up to several weeks, to understand the severity of the Omicron variant,” he repeated.
PCR tests are still detecting infection with the Omicron variant and studies are underway to determine if there is any effect on antigen tests (rapids).
The WHO called for “borders to remain open”, calling on all countries to “adopt a scientific approach” based on “risk assessment”. Expressing his support for the countries of South Africa, he stressed that “it is crucial that countries show transparency with their data, because this is the only way to ensure that we receive important data in a timely manner,” he said.
The flight ban, which negatively affects the economy and tourism, may lead some countries in the future not to announce the detection of variants, because they will be afraid of being sanctioned, the South African authorities warned yesterday.
Many countries, mainly European ones, have banned flights from South Africa. Angola was the first African country to decide to ban flights to and from South Africa.
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