[B-0]22290[B-1]
[B-2]The Omicron variant of coronavirus is expected to be dominant in the EU in early 2022 The Delta variant is currently the most prevalent[B-3]
[B-4]The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) expects the Omicron variant of coronavirus to become dominant in Europe in the first two months of 2022, according to a risk assessment update released on Wednesday.[B-5][B-6][B-7]The Delta variant currently remains the most prevalent, but mathematical models show an increase in cases of the Omicron variant.[B-8][B-9][B-10]Even if the severity of disease caused by Omicron is found to be equal to or lower than the severity of Delta, the increased transmissibility and subsequent exponential increase in incidence will quickly outweigh any benefits of reduced severity.[B-11][B-12]At this time, it is noted, data are insufficient to assess the risk of Omicron, but it is considered certain that it may carry an increase in hospitalizations and deaths relative to Delta.[B-13][B-14]Although the initial cases identified were associated with travel outside the EU, more and more cases are now being recorded through contacts within the EU, which are detected as part of the representative sampling taken as part of epidemiological surveillance.[B-15][B-16]Therefore, the ECDC assesses the likelihood of further spread of this variant in the European Union and the European Economic Area as very high, and assesses the risk to public health from its spread as very high.[B-17][B-18]In a statement, ECDC Director Andrea Amon noted that the effectiveness of vaccines against severe disease remains high, and that vaccination remains one of the main elements that can reduce the impact of Omicron.[B-19]
[B-20]However, he noted, with current data, "vaccination alone will not allow us to prevent the impact of the Omicron variant as there is no time to close the vaccine gaps that still exist."[B-21][B-22]He stressed that strong action to reduce transmission and reduce the burden on health systems is urgent.[B-23][B-24]Referring to the possible measures before national authorities as options, Amon stressed that "rapid reintroduction and strengthening of non-pharmaceutical measures is necessary to reduce Delta transmission, slow the spread of the Omicron variant of concern and keep the burden of COVID-19 manageable."[B-25][B-26]Source: CNA[B-27][B-27]
[B-28]Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to [B-29]Cyprus Times[B-30]
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or [B-31]Cyprus Times[B-32][B-33]
[B-34]Source[B-35]
[B-2]The Omicron variant of coronavirus is expected to be dominant in the EU in early 2022 The Delta variant is currently the most prevalent[B-3]
[B-4]The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) expects the Omicron variant of coronavirus to become dominant in Europe in the first two months of 2022, according to a risk assessment update released on Wednesday.[B-5][B-6][B-7]The Delta variant currently remains the most prevalent, but mathematical models show an increase in cases of the Omicron variant.[B-8][B-9][B-10]Even if the severity of disease caused by Omicron is found to be equal to or lower than the severity of Delta, the increased transmissibility and subsequent exponential increase in incidence will quickly outweigh any benefits of reduced severity.[B-11][B-12]At this time, it is noted, data are insufficient to assess the risk of Omicron, but it is considered certain that it may carry an increase in hospitalizations and deaths relative to Delta.[B-13][B-14]Although the initial cases identified were associated with travel outside the EU, more and more cases are now being recorded through contacts within the EU, which are detected as part of the representative sampling taken as part of epidemiological surveillance.[B-15][B-16]Therefore, the ECDC assesses the likelihood of further spread of this variant in the European Union and the European Economic Area as very high, and assesses the risk to public health from its spread as very high.[B-17][B-18]In a statement, ECDC Director Andrea Amon noted that the effectiveness of vaccines against severe disease remains high, and that vaccination remains one of the main elements that can reduce the impact of Omicron.[B-19]
[B-20]However, he noted, with current data, "vaccination alone will not allow us to prevent the impact of the Omicron variant as there is no time to close the vaccine gaps that still exist."[B-21][B-22]He stressed that strong action to reduce transmission and reduce the burden on health systems is urgent.[B-23][B-24]Referring to the possible measures before national authorities as options, Amon stressed that "rapid reintroduction and strengthening of non-pharmaceutical measures is necessary to reduce Delta transmission, slow the spread of the Omicron variant of concern and keep the burden of COVID-19 manageable."[B-25][B-26]Source: CNA[B-27][B-27]
[B-28]Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to [B-29]Cyprus Times[B-30]
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or [B-31]Cyprus Times[B-32][B-33]
[B-34]Source[B-35]
