The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the Omicron COVID
variant has now been detected in 77 countries.
Omicron — labelled a “variant of concern” — was detected by
South African authorities and subsequently reported to the WHO.
There are reports that the variant had been earlier detected
in the Netherlands before the announcement by South Africa.
Following the discovery of the new variant, there have been
concerns about its possible higher transmissibility due to the increase in
COVID cases experienced in South Africa.
Speaking in Wednesday during a virtual media briefing,
Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said Omicron is probably in most
countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet.
“Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any
previous variant. We’re concerned that people are dismissing Omicron as mild,”
he said.
“Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this
virus at our peril. Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer
number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems.
“I need to be very clear: vaccines alone will not get any
country out of this crisis. Countries can – and must – prevent the spread of
Omicron with measures that work today. It’s not vaccines instead of masks. It’s
not vaccines instead of distancing. It’s not vaccines instead of ventilation or
hand hygiene. Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it well.
“Vaccines are tools that have the greatest impact when they
are used to protect those who are most at risk, in all countries.”
Speaking further, the WHO director-general said in the past
10 weeks, COVAX has shipped more vaccines than in the first nine months of the
year combined.
Ghebreyesus also called for equity in the distribution of
vaccines so as to put an end to the pandemic.
“Most countries are
using vaccines as fast as they get them. A small group of countries are facing
challenges rolling out vaccines and scaling up rapidly, and WHO and our partners
are working closely with those countries to overcome bottlenecks,” he said.
“Although we expect further improvements in supply, there
are no guarantees, and the hard-won gains we have made are fragile. We continue
to call on donors and manufacturers to put COVAX and AVAT first.”
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