Omicron a high global risk, world must prepare: WHO

The heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences” in some places, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday. No Omicron-linked deaths had yet been reported, though further research was needed to assess its potential to resist vaccines and immunity induced by previous infections, it added. Anticipating increased case numbers as the variant, first reported last week, spreads, the UN agency urged its 194 member states to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups. “Omicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic,” the WHO said. “The overall global risk …is assessed as very high.” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said Omicron’s emergence showed how “perilous and precarious” the situation was.

Meanwhile in Bengaluru, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K, Sudhakar on Monday said that samples of one of the two passengers who arrived at the Bengaluru airport from South Africa had tested positive for novel coronavirus which is “a little different from the Delta variant.” It is not yet confirmed if it is the Omicron variant.

While speaking to the media, Sudhakar said, “One is relatively better and the other, we are finding it a little different from Delta variant. We have sent the sample to the Centre’s lab. We are waiting for final inference.”

DG Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr Shekhar C. Mande said that India is observing the situation in other countries, and added while the situation is a cause of concern, it is not alarming. Mande’s remark came even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged people to stay alert against Omicron.

“The surveillance is on like it always is. So, if the virus reaches India we will come to know. We are observing the situation in other countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and of course hotspot South Africa and it is a bit concerning but I would not say alarming. It is concerning because it has accumulated a large number of mutations. The WHO has said ‘Omicron’ accumulated more than 30 mutations, 26 of which are unique in the spike protein which isn’t observed in any other strains alpha, beta, gamma, delta or something like that,” said Mande.

“Vaccines are an absolute must. Those people who have not received a double dose of vaccine must get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he added. “If you look at the history of all the infectious diseases, it does happen that viral disease, particularly initially, causes pandemics and over a period of time they become endemic. Endemic means will keep coming every year, but in a much milder form,” he explained.

The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), a new variant of the coronavirus, was first reported in Botswana on 11 November 2021, and appeared on 14 November in South Africa.

Meanwhile, PM Modi urged people to stay alert against the new coronavirus variant Omicron. Addressing media persons ahead of the beginning of the winter session, the Prime Minister said, “We have administered more than 100 crore doses of Covid vaccines during the challenging times of the pandemic. Now we are moving towards 150 crore doses. The news of the emergence of a new coronavirus variant makes us more alert. We all should stay alert in view of the new variant of Covid-19.” He said the government’s priority is the good health of the countrymen.

Covid-19 task force chairman Dr N.K. Arora said that a comprehensive policy on the booster and additional doses of Covid-19 vaccine will be announced in two weeks.