Omicron variant identified in 89 countries; has doubling time between 1.5-3 days in high community transmission areas: WHO

Geneva, Dec 18 (PTI) Omicron variant has now been identified in 89 countries and is spreing significantly faster than Delta variant in places where community transmission is high, with a doubling time between 1.5–3 days, WHO has said.

In its 'Enhancing Reiness for Omicron (B.1.1.529): Technical Brief and Priority Actions for Member States' report on Friday, World Health Organisation said that given current available data, it is likely that Omicron will outpace Delta where community transmission occurs.

"Omicron is spreing rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity and it remains uncertain to what extent observed rapid growth rate can be attributed to immune evasion, intrinsic increased transmissibility or a combination of both," it said.

"As of 16 December 2021, Omicron variant has been identified in 89 countries across all six WHO regions. Current understanding of Omicron variant will continue to evolve as more data becomes available," it said.

re is consistent evidence that Omicron has a substantial growth vantage over Delta. It is spreing significantly faster than Delta variant in countries with documented community transmission, with a doubling time between 1.5–3 days, global health body said.

WHO designated Omicron, or B.1.1.529 variant, as a variant of concern (VOC) on November 26 after it was first detected in South Africa.

re is still limited data on clinical severity of Omicron. More data are needed to understand severity profile and how severity is impacted by vaccination and pre-existing immunity, WHO said.

overall threat posed by Omicron largely depends on how transmissible variant is; how well vaccines and prior infection protect against infection, transmission, clinical disease and death; how virulent variant is compared to or variants; and how populations understand se dynamics, perceive risk and follow control measures, including public health and social measures, it said.

re is still limited available data, and no peer-reviewed evidence, on vaccine efficacy or effectiveness to date for Omicron, WHO ded. PTI RS AKJ RS