The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the high global risk posed by the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
The Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences” in some places.
Though no Omicron-linked deaths had yet been reported, research was needed to assess its potential to resist vaccines and immunity induced by previous infections.
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The U.N. agency urged its 194 member states to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups.
The WHO said that Omicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, “some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic.”
“The overall global risk …is assessed as very high.”
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According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, Omicron’s emergence showed how “perilous and precarious” the situation was.
“Omicron demonstrates just why the world needs a new accord on pandemics,” he said.
The WHO has said that countries should use a “risk-based approach to adjust international travel measures”. It added that the rise in coronavirus cases might lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates. (AW)
