Skip to main content

Next Covid-19 variant will be more infectious and deadlier than Omicron, warns WHO

 World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist and technical lead on Covid-19, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, in a recent press briefing, warned that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. 

Kerkhove warned that the next Covid-19 variant will be more transmissible and deadlier than its predecessors. Kerkhove added that the future variants will be in some way more virulent than Omicron is now.

She said that the new variant will be more transmissible because it will have to overtake what is currently circulating in the world. She added, “The big question is whether or not future variants will be more or less severe.” 

She further warned that the next variant could more easily affect immunity and the effectiveness of the vaccines. However, she said to get vaccinated as it protects against severe illness and death. She added, “This was evident during the Omicron wave across the world.” Reportedly, the new variant can affect those people who are not protected by the vaccine or those who have waning immunity. 

She further added, “We expect that with the right interventions, the circulation of Covid-19 will be low.” However, Kerkhove has cautioned that there is “no guarantee” the coronavirus will get weaker with time. Reportedly, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 appears to have peaked in some countries.

Other variants of Covid-19

The Delta variant was first detected in India in October 2020. Subsequently, it was labeled a variant of concern by the WHO. In 2021, the Delta variant was responsible for a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in the UK (United Kingdom), Israel, Russia, Australia, and several other countries of the world. Omicron was quickly labeled as a variant of concern after being detected in South Africa in November 2021. Consequently, the Omicron variant replaced the Delta variant as the dominant strain in a short span of time. 

Kerkhove warned that the next Covid-19 variant will be more transmissible and deadlier than its predecessors


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Syria Condemns Israeli Incursion into Beit Jinn, Holds Israel Responsible for Escalation

 Syria strongly condemned an Israeli military incursion into the town of Beit Jinn in rural Damascus, denouncing the assault on civilians and their property, which resulted in casualties and widespread panic. In an official statement, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incursion as a war crime, stating it followed Israel’s failed attempt to target the town. The ministry held Israeli authorities fully responsible for the aggression and its consequences. Syria called on the UN Security Council, the United Nations, and the Arab League to take urgent action to halt repeated violations. It reaffirmed its commitment to defending its sovereignty and people through all means permitted under international law.
Post a Comment
Read more

Israel issues latest forced evacuation order in areas in Khan Younis

  The Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, has issued the latest forced evacuation order for civilians living in nine areas in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Adraee said that the army was expanding its operation and “intensifying sudden and concentrated firepower”. The spokesperson called on residents to evacuate westward. So-called Israeli safe zones, including Al-Mawasi in Khan Younis, are routinely attacked despite the army forcing Palestinians to move to those areas.
Post a Comment
Read more

Bombay High Court Restricts Bursting of Firecrackers in Mumbai During Diwali to These Timings

  The festival of Diwali, often referred to as the "Festival of Lights," is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor across India. While the tradition of lighting lamps and bursting firecrackers has been an integral part of the festivities, concerns over air pollution and its adverse effects on public health have prompted authorities to regulate the use of fireworks. The Bombay High Court , in a recent decision, has imposed restrictions on the bursting of firecrackers in Mumbai during Diwali, specifying designated timings to minimize the environmental impact. In an effort to strike a balance between celebrating the festival and safeguarding the environment, the Bombay High Court issued a directive that restricts the use of firecrackers to specific time slots. The court's decision is a response to the rising concerns about air quality and noise pollution during Diwali, which often reaches hazardous levels in several Indian cities. These timings aim to strike a balance b...
Post a Comment
Read more