Omicron variant spread 'can have severe consequences', says WHO; gives safety tips

Given large number of mutations that show “immune escape potential” with transmissibility vant compared with or variants of SARS-CoV-2, World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday warned that re could be “future surges of COVID-19 which could have severe consequences”. In a technical paper on COVID-19 B.1.1.529 variant of concern Omicron, released on Monday, v. 29, global health ncy in its risk analysis said that "likelihood of potential furr spre of Omicron at global level is high". “ overall global risk related to new variant of concern Omicron is assessed as very high,” WHO stressed, ackwledging that B.1.1.529  is a “highly divergent variant.” 

Because it is one of most severely mutated virus strains yet, re are still considerable uncertainties, according to WHO. Omicron strain has a “high number of mutations, including 26-32 in spike, some of which are concerning and may be associated with immune escape potential and higher transmissibility,” WHO wrote in its technical paper. 

With just over 200 new confirmed cases per day in recent week, South Africa’s new daily cases driven by Omicron skyrocketed to 2,465 as of last week. Sharon Peacock, who has led genetic sequencing of COVID-19 in Britain at University of Cambridge, in a statement ackwledged that large mutations in B.1.1.529 are “consistent with enhanced transmissibility,” but “significance of se many mutations is still t kwn.” 

A virologist at University of Warwick, UK meanwhile described Omicron as “ most heavily mutated version of virus we have seen.” Dr. Anthony Fauci, US’s top infectious diseases expert, agreed that Omicron is extremely genetically distinct from or variants of coronavirus including beta and delta variants, which he said is “worrying.” WHO meanwhile vised member states to enhance ir surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand this variant. 

"This is most significant variant we have encountered to date and urgent research is underway to learn more about its transmissibility, severity, and vaccine-susceptibility," UKHSA Chief Executive Jenny Harries has told DW. While apparent figure of how far this new variant has spre remains unclear, scientists w believe that 90% of new cases in Gauteng could be B.1.1.529, “worst variant” that has been seen since start of pandemic.

WHO's tip for people to keep mselves safe amid Omicron scare

As more research is underway to establish role of vaccines and level of body’s own immune system’s protection against B.1.1.529 strain, WHO recommended some of immediate health safety measures that can be hered to in order to avoid contraction of COVID-19. most effective step, said WHO, would be for individuals to maintain social distance of at least 1 meter as vised during initial days of outbreak. 

Or protocols that WHO recommended to avoid infection are, use of ‘well-fitting' face masks, keeping windows open to improve ventilation with respect to indoor settings; to avoid poorly ventilated or heavily crowded s; washing hands with soap and water thoroughly; when coughing or sneezing one must do it into a bent elbow or use tissue, and get vaccinated to mitigate severe impact from disease.