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WHO warns Asia-Pacific nations to prepare for Omicron variant surge

 The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday warned the countries in the Asia-Pacific region to focus on their healthcare services and focus on vaccinating their people. WHO warns the Asia-Pacific region because of the Omicron variant. The new variant of Covid-19 is spreading globally. WHO designated the new covid variant B.1.1.529, named Omicron, a variant of concern. The number of people testing positive by the Omicron covid variant has increased significantly in South African countries. The new Omicron variant is much deadlier and is also spreading faster than the other variants. Reportedly vaccinated people are also getting infected by this new variant. 

In a virtual briefing, Takeshi Kasai, WHO regional director for the western Pacific, said that it is clear that this pandemic is far from over. He said to adapt the way to manage this virus to better cope with future surges and reduce the health, social and economic impact. Takeshi Kasai further said, “We can adapt, so that COVID-19 has less impact on our lives in 2022, and we can start to regain  and hopefully retain a sense of normality.”

Omicron cases have now been reported in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. India also imposed new international travel restrictions in light of growing concerns regarding the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. Travelers arriving from ‘high-risk’ countries will have to undergo an RT-PCR test. After checking the test result, the passenger will have to stay in 7-day quarantine or isolation. South Korea also decided to tighten anti-virus measures to eradicate a surging number of Covid-19 cases. According to a preliminary study by South African researchers, the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 can increase the risk of reinfection by three times as compared to other variants of concern such as Beta and Delta.

Omicron variant surge


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