WHO recommendations on Omicron variant

Omicron, the new variant of coronavirus, has more than 30 mutations. According to the WHO experts, the new strain of COVID-19 can be much more infectious and dangerous than the previous delta variant. The virus, first detected in South Africa in early November, has already been registered in 23 countries.

“We have seen some of the mutations in other variants. For example, some of them are responsible for increasing its potential for transmission, which means that people can get infected with this variant easier. However, this theory requires confirmation through conducting epidemiological studies that are currently being carried out around the world, including South Africa,” said Vitaliy Stetsyk, Technical Officer, WHO country team in Kazakhstan.

First of all, experts of the World Health Organization advice people aged over 60, as well as persons with concomitant diseases such as diabetes and cancer to postpone long-distance travel. The WHO also urged countries to accelerate vaccination rates.

“We need to further introduce the recommendations that we are imposing ourselves in terms of the spread of other variants of the coronavirus infection, including delta variant. First of all, the population needs to get vaccinated, especially, those at high risk of having a severe course of COVID-19 need to vaccinate. These are the elderly, people over the age of 60. It is worth noting that vaccines are effective against the severe course of the disease and are effective in stopping deaths,” opined Vitaliy Stetsyk.

According to experts, now specialists from all over the world are studying omicron variant, so there is no complete data on the severity of the disease to date. However, the WHO experts advise to adhere to all necessary preventive measures – wearing masks, washing hands, airing rooms and maintaining distance.

 

Translation by Saniya Sakenova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova