After the Belgian government confirmed a first sequencing of the omicron variant in Europe, from an unvaccinated woman who passed through Turkey and Egypt, the secretary for social affairs and integration of the state of Hesse (western Germany), Kai Klose, said that the new mutant has “most likely already arrived” in the country.
“Last night, several typical Omicron mutations were found in a traveler returning from South Africa.” wrote the secretary on social network. The patient self-isolated while awaiting complete coronavirus sequencing.
According to the secretary, although there is still no confirmation, health authorities have a “high level of suspicion” that the strain is omicron, which was classified this Friday (27) as a variety of concern, as it has the potential to be more transmissible and less controllable by currently available vaccines.
It still takes a few weeks to get scientific evidence about omicron, but because of the number and type of mutations it has, countries have announced preventive calls and vaccine makers have begun to develop adaptations.
German state governments have recommended that passengers arriving from southern Africa undergo tests and isolate themselves until they test negative.
Restrictions against coronavirus transmission were tightened in the last week in Germany, hit by a sharp increase in new cases of Covid. Fighting the pandemic was cited as the priority of the country’s potential next prime minister, Olaf Scholz, on Wednesday (24), when he announced the coalition agreement for a new government.
In the Netherlands, 61 of the 600 passengers who arrived from two flights from South Africa tested positive for Covid — more tests are underway to determine which variant of the coronavirus.
According to Dutch health authorities, travelers who tested positive were isolated in hotels or facilities near Schiphol airport.
“We are investigating as soon as possible whether the variant is omicron,” the statement said.
On Friday night, the 27 countries of the European Union temporarily banned the entry of flights from seven African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland (Eswatini), Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe), a measure that had already been anticipated by some countries on several continents, in an attempt to delay the entry of the new strain.
A similar measure was taken by Brazil in relation to six countries: South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland (Eswatini), Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The apprehension over the new variant led the WTO (World Trade Organization) to cancel its 12th Ministerial Conference, which would start next week in Switzerland. The meeting is the most important summit of the entity. The Foreign Affairs Council was also postponed indefinitely.
According to the Slovenian government, which holds the rotating EU Council presidency, the postponement “comes in response to the sudden outbreak of a particularly transmissible strain of the Covid-19 virus, which would have prevented many delegations from attending the conference.”
On Friday night (26), the ECDC (European Center for Disease Control) released a risk assessment of the omicron variant recommending that countries increase prevention while awaiting results of scientific research.
“Preliminary data, based on genetic information currently available, is that the risks of omicrons are high,” the statement said. “The most divergent variant is detected in significant numbers during the pandemic to date, raising serious concerns that it may significantly reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and increase the risk of reinfections.”
According to ECDC director Andrea Ammon, the three priorities are to expand full vaccination, strengthen the immunization of those aged 40 and over and implement restrictions on movement and contact.
HOW TO AVOID NEW WAVES OF COVID
1 – Public health measures
- Vaccinate as many elderly, vulnerable and health professionals as possible
- Vaccinate as much of the adult population as possible
- Listening to those who refuse the vaccine to understand their reasons, answer their questions and restore confidence in immunization
- Vaccinate young people and children, in countries where there are enough and already approved immunization agents for these age groups
- Give all adults a booster dose six months after full vaccination, prioritizing elderly and vulnerable
- Maintain testing system, contact tracking and isolation of suspected cases
- Keep clear guidelines against crowding and using a mask indoors or where distancing is not possible
- Disclose information clearly and transparently
- When numbers ebb, withdraw restrictions gradually, without reducing vigilance
2 – Individual measurements
- Get fully vaccinated and take the booster six months after full vaccination, if available.
- Avoid agglomerations and closed places
- Wear masks when distancing is impossible; effective mask use involves covering your mouth and nose and avoiding contamination by removing the mask.
- Cover mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow when coughing or sneezing, to avoid hand-transmission of the virus
- Wash your hands constantly, with soap, for at least 20 seconds
- Test yourself for symptoms and avoid contact until you get a negative result
- Isolate yourself and notify contacts if you have a positive result
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