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Manila, Dec 3: Measures used to counter the delta variant ought to stay the muse for combating the coronavirus pandemic, even within the face of the brand new omicron model of the virus, World Well being Organisation officers stated Friday, whereas acknowledging that the journey restrictions imposed by some international locations might purchase time.
Whereas about three dozen international locations worldwide have reported omicron infections, together with India on Thursday, the numbers thus far are small outdoors of South Africa, which is going through a fast rise in COVID-19 instances and the place the brand new variant could also be changing into dominant. Nonetheless, a lot stays unclear about omicron, together with whether or not it’s extra contagious, as some well being authorities suspect, whether or not it makes individuals extra significantly sick, or whether or not it will probably evade vaccine safety.
“Border management can delay the virus coming in and purchase time. However each nation and each group should put together for brand new surges in instances,” Dr. Takeshi Kasai, the WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, informed reporters Friday throughout a digital information convention from the Philippines.
“The constructive information in all of that is that not one of the data we’ve at the moment about omicron suggests we have to change the instructions of our response.”
Which means persevering with to push for greater vaccination charges, abiding by social-distancing tips, and carrying masks, amongst different measures, stated WHO Regional Emergency Director Dr. Babatunde Olowokure.
He added that well being programs should “guarantee we’re treating the correct sufferers in the correct place on the proper time, and so subsequently guaranteeing that ICU beds can be found, notably for individuals who want them.” Kasai warned: “We can’t be complacent.” WHO has beforehand urged towards border closures, noting they usually have restricted impact and might trigger main disruptions.
Measures towards delta work for omicron variant too
Officers in southern Africa, the place the omicron variant was first recognized, have decried restrictions on vacationers from the area, saying they’re being punished for alerting the world to the mutant pressure. Scientists are working furiously to be taught extra about omicron, which has been designated a variant of concern due to the variety of mutations and since early data suggests it could be extra transmissible than different variants, Kasai stated.
A number of international locations in Western Pacific area are going through surges that started earlier than omicron was recognized, although COVID-19 instances and deaths in lots of others have decreased or plateaued, Kasai stated. However that would change.
Among the many locations which have discovered the variant within the area are Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia — and it’s more likely to crop up in additional locations. The emergence of omicron is of explicit concern for organizers of the Beijing Winter Olympic Video games, now about two months away.
Beijing is adopting a collection of measures to cut back the chance the virus will unfold through the Video games, Zhao Weidong, spokesperson for the organising committee, informed reporters at a briefing on Friday.
China has adopted a zero-tolerance coverage towards COVID-19 transmission and has among the world’s strictest border controls. Video games contributors should reside and compete inside a bubble, and solely spectators who’re residents of China and have been vaccinated and examined might be permitted at venues.
Globally, instances have been growing for seven consecutive weeks and the variety of deaths has began to rise once more, too, pushed largely by the delta variant and decreased use of protecting measures in different components of the world, Kasai stated.
“We shouldn’t be shocked to see extra surges sooner or later. So long as transmission continues, the virus can proceed to mutate, because the emergence of omicron demonstrates, reminding us of the necessity to keep vigilant,” Kasai stated. He warned particularly in regards to the probability of surges attributable to extra gatherings and motion of individuals through the vacation season.
The northern winter season will even seemingly convey different infectious respiratory illnesses, such because the flu, alongside COVID-19. “It’s clear that this pandemic is way from over and I do know that individuals are fearful about omicron,” Kasai stated.
“However my message in the present day is that we will adapt the best way we handle this virus to raised address the long run surges and cut back their well being, social and financial impacts.”
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