The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled the new corona variant discovered in South Africa as worrisome. The variant is given the name Omicron, as earlier variants are also named with a letter from the Greek alphabet.
According to the WHO, preliminary research shows that the virus with these mutations is more contagious than previous variants, while the prevailing Delta variant is already causing a wave of infection in Europe and elsewhere.
According to the WHO, the risk of reinfection with Omicron may also be greater than with other variants. The new variant is easy to detect with current PCR tests and further research is being done. The WHO asks countries to contribute to this, among other things by quickly reporting new outbreaks with Omicron. The organization calls on citizens to adhere to already proven corona measures, such as regular hand washing, sufficient ventilation, keeping a distance and wearing mouth caps.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) had also identified the new corona variant B.1.1.529 as worrisome. The variant occurs in southern Africa and has also been identified in a small number of other countries, including Belgium.
no-fly zone
The Netherlands and the other member states of the European Union have agreed to ban flights from seven countries in southern Africa for the time being. These are South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland. The measure is intended to slow down the advance of the new, disturbing variant of the corona virus that has emerged in those parts.
Earlier in the day, the Netherlands announced, like many other EU member states, that it would no longer allow flights from the south of Africa. At that time, outgoing corona minister Hugo de Jonge kept it at six countries; Mozambique was missing.
EU citizens, among others, can still travel to the union from the seven countries. They must undergo a corona test and quarantine.
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source https://pledgetimes.com/who-new-corona-variant-worrisome-gets-name-omicron/
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