- Omicron is “spreading at an unprecedented charge” throughout the globe, says WHO.
- WHO expresses concern over lack of effort being expended in combating variant.
- Omicron variant detected in November in South Africa.
The World Well being Group (WHO) has warned that the brand new coronavirus variant, Omicron, is “spreading at an unprecedented charge” throughout the globe, the BBC reported Wednesday.
There are confirmed instances of the “extremely mutated variant” in 77 international locations.
Nevertheless, WHO Director-Common Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged throughout a press briefing on Tuesday that it was possible current in lots of others that had not but detected it.
Dr Tedros expressed concern over the dearth of effort being expended in combating the variant.
“Absolutely, by now, we have realised how harmful it’s to underestimate this virus. Even when Omicron causes milder illness, the sheer quantity of instances could as soon as once more overwhelm unprepared well being techniques,” he asserted.
The Omicron variant was detected in November in South Africa, and an infection charges have since elevated.
Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, examined constructive for COVID-19 and is at the moment beneath isolation in his residence. Ramaphosa is experiencing “delicate signs,” the BBC reported.
Following detection of the Omicron variant, a lot of international locations have imposed journey bans on South Africa and its neighbours, however this has not prevented the virus from spreading worldwide.
AKUH confirms Pakistan’s first ever case of Omicron variant
Earlier this week, the Aga Khan College Hospital (AKUH) had confirmed Pakistan’s first-ever case of Omicron by way of gene-sequencing in a affected person who had no journey historical past.
“Gene sequencing at AKUH has confirmed the presence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant within the first affected person,” learn an announcement from AKUH. “The affected person is at house and doing properly. To date, no different sufferers with COVID-19 Omicron have been recognized at AKUH,” it added.
The Nationwide Institute of Well being (NIH) additionally confirmed the event by way of a sequence of posts on Twitter.