WHERE: Omicron more contagious than any other mutation – Fears about the resilience of Health systems

The Omicron mutant strain of coronavirus is spreading faster than any previous strain and has probably already reached all countries of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday.

“Omicron is being transmitted at a rate unmatched by any of the previous variants,” said WHO Director-General of the Center Ananom Gebergesus during a briefing on the pandemic, adding that 77 countries have already reported cases of the Omicron mutant. “In fact, Omicron has probably reached most of the countries, even those that have not been identified,” he added.

The head of the WHO stressed that the Organization is concerned about countries that consider the mutated strain Omicron to be a milder variant of the coronavirus. Although Omicron is more contagious, it is not yet clear whether it causes milder or more severe disease than older strains of the coronavirus.

“They have learned so far that we underestimate the dangers of the virus,” Tentros said. that are not prepared ”.

The WHO chief also warned that vaccines alone could not protect countries from Omicron’s attack, stressing the importance of using a mask and keeping distance in social interactions.

“Vaccines do not replace the mask. Neither the distances. Nor the ventilation of the premises and the hygiene of the hands. All these measures are necessary. Apply them consistently”, added the Center.

After all, according to preliminary laboratory data released last week by Pfizer and BioNTech, the Omicron variant significantly reduces the protection against infection provided by their dual vaccine, and Oxford which Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are less effective against coronavirus.

However, dosing vaccines are likely to continue to provide protection against serious illness, with Pfizer and BioNTech finding that a booster dose increases the level of protection against Omicron.

In this context, Dr. Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergency Program, stated that pandemic mitigation measures, such as mask use and distance keeping, will not completely stop the transmission of the virus, but will reduce it. the pressure on health systems around the world.

Dr. Ryan stressed that governments around the world need to prepare for a wave of cases, taking care of staffing hospitals and securing oxygen supplies, but also continuing to put pressure on the unvaccinated to be vaccinated.

The Center also expressed concern that booster doses from rich countries to their entire populations would exacerbate vaccine inequality. He clarified that the WHO does not oppose the administration of booster doses to groups at risk of serious illness, but added that vaccination of those who have not yet taken a single dose remains a key priority.

The head of the WHO stressed that 41 countries have a vaccination rate of less than 10%, while 98 countries have a rate of less than 40%.

“We also see significant differences between population groups in the same country,” he said, adding: “If we allow inequalities to continue, we will allow the pandemic to continue.”