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The World Health Organization warns of very high risk posed by omicron variant :
Coronavirus Updates The newly identified strain of the coronavirus, which could
be more transmissible than the previously dominant delta variant, has global
health officials worried about a possible new surge in cases.


CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

Latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic


THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS


THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WARNS OF VERY HIGH RISK POSED BY THE OMICRON
VARIANT

November 29, 202110:04 AM ET

By 

Scott Neuman

Enlarge this image

People step off a tram in Nottingham, England, a city where a case of the
omicron variant of the coronavirus was identified last week. Joe Giddens/PA
Images via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images


People step off a tram in Nottingham, England, a city where a case of the
omicron variant of the coronavirus was identified last week.

Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images

The World Health Organization is warning that the new omicron variant of the
coronavirus poses a "very high" global risk because of the possibility that it
spreads more easily and might resist vaccines and immunity in people who were
infected with previous strains.

In a technical brief issued Sunday, the WHO warned its 194 member states that
the new variant's numerous mutations "may confer immune escape potential and
possibly transmissibility advantage," and as a result "the likelihood of
potential further spread of omicron at the global level is high."

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATES


OMICRON VARIANT SPREADS TO NORTH AMERICA, AUSTRALIA AND MORE OF EUROPE

It says that the risk to vulnerable populations — especially in countries with
low vaccination rates — could be "substantial."

However, it cautions that there's still considerable uncertainty about the
virus, including how easily it spreads, how dangerous it is, whether it can
evade vaccines and immunity, how it responds to diagnostic tests and
therapeutics, and even its specific symptoms.

"The vaccines were designed, basically, to keep people out of hospital, and
they've stood up and they've done that very well," Dr. Margaret Harris, a public
health doctor and WHO spokesperson, told NPR's Morning Edition on Monday. "So we
really need to know whether this particular version is going to change that
picture."

The omicron variant was first reported last week in South Africa, where
infections attributed to the new strain have risen sharply in recent days. Since
then, it has been found in more than a dozen countries, including Botswana, the
United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Israel, Australia and Hong
Kong.

So far, there have been no reported deaths linked to the omicron variant.
Meanwhile, many countries including the U.S. have reimposed some travel
restrictions in an effort to stem the spread of the new variant.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to announce any omicron
cases in the U.S., though the White House chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony
Fauci has said that he believes it's inevitable at some point.

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In response to omicron, the CDC on Monday strengthened and simplified its advice
on who should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster.

"Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6
months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their
initial J&J vaccine," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in an statement.

This replaces guidance that said people ages 18 and older but younger than 50
may receive a booster and others in certain at-risk categories or 50 and older
should get a booster.

The WHO on Sunday warned of possible "future surges of COVID-19, which could
have severe consequences, depending on a number of factors including where
surges may take place."

The brief advises nations to enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts and
accelerate COVID-19 vaccination coverage. It also advises renewed social
distancing restrictions and contact tracing.

"In anticipation of increased COVID-19 caseloads and associated pressure on the
health system, ensure mitigation plans are in place to maintain essential health
services and necessary health care resources are in place to respond to
potential surges," it advises.

Speaking on Monday, the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said:
"Global health security is too important to be left to chance, or goodwill, or
shifting geopolitical currents, or the vested interests of companies and
shareholders."

"Omicron demonstrates just why the world needs a new accord on pandemics," he
said, noting that the new variant's emergence shows how "perilous and
precarious" the current situation is.

 * World Health Organization
 * COVID-19
 * Coronavirus variants
 * omicron

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