WHO releases details about Omicron
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
A new report by the World Health Organisations reveals more details about the spread, transmissibility, severity and reinfection of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
The WHO said the new variant appears to have a growth advantage over other circulating variants, but it remains unclear whether this will lead to increased transmissibility.
It said in view of the predominant circulation of the Delta variant in many countries, it is too early to determine the potential impact the Omicron variant would have on the global epidemiology of the coronavirus.
In the latest weekly Covid-19 epidemiological update, WHO said that while several crucial questions about Omicron remain unanswered, more data will continue to emerge in the coming weeks.
According to WHO, new cases of Covid-19 have continued to increase in South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first reported.
Spreading fast
It added that Covid-19 cases in South Africa more than doubled in the week between November 29 and December 5.
More menacingly, the positivity rate in the country has increased to 22.4% in December, as compared to 1.2% in the beginning of November.
“Very large increases in the weekly incidence of cases have also been seen in some countries neighbouring South Africa, including: Eswatini (1990%); Zimbabwe (1361%); Mozambique (1207%), Namibia (681%) and Lesotho (219%). These other countries have very low vaccination coverage ranging from 12.1% of the total population fully vaccinated in Namibia to 26.7% in Lesotho. In South Africa, 25.2% of the total population is fully vaccinated.”
The WHO said while the drivers of these increases remain unknown, it is plausible that spread of Omicron, in combination with enhanced testing following the declaration of a Variant of Concern, play a role, together with the relaxation of public health and social measures and sub-optimal immunisation coverage.
Severity
The WHO further highlighted that there is limited data at this stage to determine any changes that may have occurred in disease severity due to the Omicron variant.
While hospital admission in South Africa has increased by 82% the past week, it remains uncertain if all hospitalisations were related to infection caused by the new variant.
It further clarified that even if the severity of the Omicron variant happens to be less than that of the Delta variant, hospitalisation is likely to increase with a surge in coronavirus cases.
The WHO added that its preliminary analysis found that the mutations present in the Omicron variant may reduce neutralising activity of antibodies among people who have already recovered from the coronavirus previously.
WINDHOEK
A new report by the World Health Organisations reveals more details about the spread, transmissibility, severity and reinfection of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
The WHO said the new variant appears to have a growth advantage over other circulating variants, but it remains unclear whether this will lead to increased transmissibility.
It said in view of the predominant circulation of the Delta variant in many countries, it is too early to determine the potential impact the Omicron variant would have on the global epidemiology of the coronavirus.
In the latest weekly Covid-19 epidemiological update, WHO said that while several crucial questions about Omicron remain unanswered, more data will continue to emerge in the coming weeks.
According to WHO, new cases of Covid-19 have continued to increase in South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first reported.
Spreading fast
It added that Covid-19 cases in South Africa more than doubled in the week between November 29 and December 5.
More menacingly, the positivity rate in the country has increased to 22.4% in December, as compared to 1.2% in the beginning of November.
“Very large increases in the weekly incidence of cases have also been seen in some countries neighbouring South Africa, including: Eswatini (1990%); Zimbabwe (1361%); Mozambique (1207%), Namibia (681%) and Lesotho (219%). These other countries have very low vaccination coverage ranging from 12.1% of the total population fully vaccinated in Namibia to 26.7% in Lesotho. In South Africa, 25.2% of the total population is fully vaccinated.”
The WHO said while the drivers of these increases remain unknown, it is plausible that spread of Omicron, in combination with enhanced testing following the declaration of a Variant of Concern, play a role, together with the relaxation of public health and social measures and sub-optimal immunisation coverage.
Severity
The WHO further highlighted that there is limited data at this stage to determine any changes that may have occurred in disease severity due to the Omicron variant.
While hospital admission in South Africa has increased by 82% the past week, it remains uncertain if all hospitalisations were related to infection caused by the new variant.
It further clarified that even if the severity of the Omicron variant happens to be less than that of the Delta variant, hospitalisation is likely to increase with a surge in coronavirus cases.
The WHO added that its preliminary analysis found that the mutations present in the Omicron variant may reduce neutralising activity of antibodies among people who have already recovered from the coronavirus previously.
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