The risk posed by the highly infectious Omicron variant of the new coronavirus on a global scale remains "very high", the World Health Organization warns today.
"The global risk associated with the new Omicron variant of concern remains very high," the WHO stresses in its weekly epidemiological bulletin.
"Reliable evidence suggests that the Omicron variant has a developmental advantage over the Delta variant, with a doubling rate of two to three days," the agency adds, stressing that there is a "rapid increase in incidence in a number of countries".
"The rapid increase is likely due to the combination of loss of immunity and the inherent increase in infectivity of the Omicron variant," it explains.
However, the World Health Organization highlights a 29% reduction in incidence in South Africa, the country that first identified and notified the variant to the Organization on November 24.
The WHO notes that data from Britain, South Africa and Denmark - where the highest infection rate relative to the population is recorded - suggest a reduction in the risk of needing hospitalisation in case of Omicron infection, compared to Delta.
However, more data are needed to understand the severity of Omicron in terms of clinical indicators, particularly oxygen use, intubations and deaths. And also, how the severity of the disease may be affected by prior infection or vaccination.
According to the World Health Organization, during the week ending Sunday, the global number of cases increased by 11% over the immediately preceding week, while that of deaths decreased by 4%.
"This equates to just under 5 million new infections and just over 44,000 new deaths," the WHO summarizes.
The highest numbers of cases were recorded in the US, Britain, France and Italy.
Source: First Theme
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times[/SIZE]
Source
