WHO’s Africa branch said the continent had recorded 107,000 extra cases in the week to Sunday
GENEVA
Features of the new Covid-19 variant Omicron, including the extent to which it will spread, and the sheer number of mutations, suggest that it could have a major impact on the course of the pandemic, but it’s still too early to say for sure.
That was one key takeaway from a weekly briefing on the virus from WHO Director General, Tedros Ghebreyesus.
Tedros highlighted “a consistent picture of rapid increase in transmission” but said that the exact rate of increase relative to other variants remains difficult to quantify. So far, Omicron has been reported in 57 countries, and WHO expects the number to continue growing.
Despite some data from South Africa suggesting increased risk of re-infection with Omicron, more data is needed. The variant might also cause milder disease than Delta, but there is no definitive answer yet.
“New data are emerging every day, but scientists need time to complete studies and interpret the results. We must be careful about drawing firm conclusions until we have a more complete picture”, Tedros explained. In this context, the WHO chief called on all countries to increase surveillance, testing and sequencing. “Any complacency now will cost lives”, he warned.
Even though the world still needs answers to some crucial questions, Tedros said people everywhere are not defenceless against Omicron, or Delta. “The steps countries take today, and in the coming days and weeks will determine how Omicron unfolds. If countries wait until their hospitals start to fill up, it’s too late. Don’t wait. Act now”, he said. He also asked countries to avoid “ineffective and discriminatory” travel bans.
This week, France and Switzerland have lifted their travel bans on southern African countries, and Tedros urged other countries to follow their lead.
