‘There could be future surges of COVID with severe consequences’: WHO on Omicron
GENEVA,NOV.30: The World Health Organization warned Monday that the global risk from the omicron variant is “very high” based on early evidence, saying the mutated coronavirus could lead to surges with “severe consequences.”
The UN health agency, in a technical paper issued to member states, said “considerable uncertainties” remain about the variant that was first detected days ago in southern Africa.
But it said it is possible the variant has mutations that could enable it to escape an immune-system response and boost its ability to spread from one person to another.
“Depending on these characteristics, there could be future surges of COVID-19, which could have severe consequences, depending on a number of factors, including where surges may take place,” it added.
“The overall global risk is assessed as very high.”
The warning came as a widening circle of countries around the world reported cases of the variant and moved to slam their doors shut while scientists race to figure out just how dangerous this version might be.
Japan announced it would bar entry of all foreign visitors, joining Israel in doing so just days after the variant was identified by researchers in South Africa.
Morocco banned all incoming flights.
Other countries, including the U.S. and European Union members, have moved to prohibit travelers arriving from southern Africa.
If the virus proves dangerous as feared, “the impact on vulnerable populations would be substantial, particularly in countries with low vaccination coverage,” WHO said, noting that no deaths linked to omicron have been reported so far.
Spain became one of the latest countries to report its first confirmed case of the variant.
-PTI
