Omicron, the new variant of coronavirus has nearly put the world in a state of panic as some countries are undertaking different measures in order to put the virus at bay.
On 26th November 2021, World Health Organization (WHO) designated the variant B.1.1.529 variant of concern, named by the South African scientist Omicron.
On the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group, on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE), World Health Organization Uganda has provided a summary of what is currently known about this variant.
Transmissibility:
It’s not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible as compared to other variants like Delta. However, according to an American Dr.Francis Collins, director of the National institute of Health, Omicron variant was highly contagious in S.A but that doesn’t mean the same thing will happen elsewhere.
“I think it’s clear from what’s happening in South Africa that this Omicron variant does spread rapidly”. He added.
The number of people testing positive have risen in areas of S.A affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it’s because of Omicron or other factors.
Severity of disease:
It’s not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants.
Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in S.A but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron.
Evidence suggests that there may be an increased risk of reinfection that’s people who have previously had COVID-19 could become rein infected easily with Omicron as compared to other variants of concern, but the information is still limited .More information on this will become available in the coming days and weeks.
Effectiveness of vaccines.
The ministry of Health Uganda says, “WHO is working with technical partners to understand the potential impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures including vaccines”.
Vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death. At the present time WHO is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the world to deeply understand Omicron.
“The development in South Africa and the response by some countries are of a great concern to our National response and we are taking them very serious. Ministry of health Uganda will make statement soon in the meantime, all our interventions remain”. Senior public relations officer of MOH Ainebyoona Emmanuel said.
Ainebyoona also calls for a need to embrace “our vaccination drive as the only major way out of danger for the country.
“However, all the measures and options to stop the new variant are being reviewed by the scientists”.
Internationally, countries such as Angola, Argentina, Australia,Brazil,Canada,China,Denmark,Egypt,Fiji,France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia,lsand,Israel,ltaly,Japan,Kuwart among others have taken different approaches towards preventing the spread of this new variant.
This has included closing their borders with South Africa where the variant was first confirmed.
Others have reinforced stricter quarantine measures against travellers from South African countries.
