The Omicron variant is spreading to several countries, with cases being detected or confirmed in the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia, while travel bans are being tightened in an effort to prevent the “introduction” of this strain.
WHERE: It will take time for scientists to understand how serious it is
The World Health Organization reiterated that at present it is not clear whether Omicron is more contagious than other variants of SARS-CoV-2 or whether it causes a more serious illness.
“The first data show increased hospitalization rates in South Africa, but this may be due to the total number of people being infected,” and may not be the result of the Omicron variant alone, the agency explained. He recalled that it would take “days to several weeks” for scientists to assess how serious it is.
The discovery of Omicron by South African scientists sounded a global alarm. One government after another – last in line tonight, Rwanda – imposes travel restrictions on South African countries, fearing that existing vaccines will not cover this variant and that the current economic recovery will be overturned after two years of pandemic.
The WHO said in a statement that experts were trying to understand the possible effects of the variant on the countermeasures taken, including the Covid-19 vaccine.
Britain decided to convene an emergency meeting of G7 health ministers on Monday to discuss recent developments.
The Dutch health authorities announced that 13 cases of Omicron were found among the passengers of two flights that arrived in Amsterdam on Friday from South Africa. A total of more than 600 passengers were examined and 61 cases of Covid-19 were detected. “It may just be the tip of the iceberg,” Health Minister Hugo de Jong told reporters in Rotterdam.
Omicron, a “variant of concern” as described by the WHO, may be more contagious than previous variants. So far, cases have been identified in Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands, and possibly Switzerland.
A South African doctor, who was the first to suspect another variant, explained today that so far the symptoms of Omicron patients are mild and can be treated at home. Dr Angelique Ketze, head of the South African Medical Association, told Reuters that, unlike the Delta variant, patients have so far not complained of loss of taste or smell and have not seen a significant reduction in oxygen levels.
France: Eight possible cases of the Omicron variant have been identified
The French Ministry of Health announced tonight that it has identified eight possible cases of the Omicron variant across the country.
According to the announcement, the patients came to France from the region of South Africa. It will take several days for it to be confirmed that they have been infected with this variant.
Israel closes borders for everyone
The most draconian measures so far have been taken by Israel: the government has banned all foreigners from entering the country and will use a mobile tracking application to limit the spread of the variant. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the ban, which would have to be approved by the government, would last for 14 days. The authorities hope that in the meantime more clarifications will be given on the effectiveness of the vaccines.
Japan will close its borders to foreigners
The Japanese government plans to close the border to virtually all foreigners from this month, broadcasts the Japanese television network NTV.
The official announcement of the measure is expected to be made within the day, according to the information of the network.
The first two cases were detected in Canada
The Canadian Ministry of Health announced on Sunday that two cases of the Omicron variant of the new coronavirus have been identified for the first time; these are two people who had recently traveled to Nigeria.
The two patients have been isolated in Ottawa and authorities are tracking their contacts, the Ontario provincial government said.
The Canadian Ministry of Health anticipates that other cases of Omicron will be identified, which was described last week as a “worrying variant” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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