The Omicron version has been found in 38 countries, but no deaths have been reported, according to the WHO, as authorities around the world tried to halt the spread of the significantly mutated COVID-19 strain despite worries that it could jeopardize the global economic recovery. The United States and Australia are the most recent countries to confirm local transmission of the variation. The WHO has warned that determining how contagious the variety is, whether it causes more serious illness, and the effectiveness of therapies and vaccines against it could take weeks.
The WHO said on Friday that it has not yet received any reports of Omicron-related deaths, but the new variant’s growth has prompted fears that it could account for more than half of COVID-19 cases in Europe in the coming months. International Monetary Fund director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday that the new variety, like the Delta strain, might impede global economic recovery.
“We were concerned even before the advent of this new variation that, while the recovery is continuing, it is losing some momentum,” she said. “A novel variety with the potential to spread quickly can erode trust.” According to a preliminary investigation conducted by researchers in South Africa, where the variety was initially detected on November 24, it is three times more likely than the Delta or Beta variants to induce reinfections.
As demand for Covid-19 vaccine booster shots rises in the wake of the discovery of Omicron, a new coronavirus variant, scientists are urging India to prioritize double-vaccinating its eligible population first, ensuring that the vast majority of people receive at least a basic level of protection against the virus. In light of the new strain, many countries have already begun giving booster doses to their residents. India, on the other hand, has yet to contemplate booster shots, despite the fact that several specialists have advocated for them in recent days.
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