New statement from WHO regarding Omicron variant: Risk is very high

The World Health Organization has announced that the global risk of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus is being assessed as “very high”. The Organization has provided technical information to 194 member states regarding Omicron, the new variant of the coronavirus that has alarmed the world and led to the return of travel bans.

Underlining that the probability of global spread of Omicron, which is still unclear, and the global risk associated with the variant is very high, WHO officials warned that there may be large increases in cases in the future depending on the characteristics of the variant, which may have serious consequences.

Emphasizing that the Omicron variant has more spike protein mutations than previously seen, WHO officials said that some of them are alarming in terms of their possible impact on the course of the pandemic. A spike protein mutation means that there is a mutation in the outer part of the thorn that allows the virus to enter the human cell.

Urging member states to report the first cases of Omicron, the WHO also stressed the need to increase the pace of vaccination of those in the high-risk group.

Underlining that no deaths have been reported due to the Omicron variant so far, the WHO shared that they expected the number of cases to increase among those vaccinated as well, but that this will happen at a small and predictable rate.

On the other hand, the authorities, who once again expressed that they found it wrong to impose travel restrictions and close borders, asked countries to take a risk-based approach to this issue.

Source: www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/son-dakika–dsoden-omicron-varyanti-aciklamasi-risk-cok-yuksek-1888561