Omicron: COVID-19 variant of concern? Situation worldover

Categories COVID-19
Posted in Omicron, COVID-19, Omicron impact
Omicron: COVID-19 variant of concern? Situation worldover

The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (an independent group of experts that periodically monitor and evaluate the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assess if specific and/or combination of mutations alter the behavior of the virus), was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529 (Omicron) of which the first case was reported to WHO from South Africa on 24 Nov 2021

Omicron variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other variants of concern

Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant.

covid vairant blood sample

As such, WHO has asked the countries to do the following:

  • enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant
  • submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database, such as GISAID
  • report initial cases/clusters associated with VOC infection to WHO through the IHR mechanism
  • where capacity exists and in coordination with the international community, perform field investigations and laboratory assessments to improve understanding of the potential impacts of the VOC on COVID-19 epidemiology, severity, effectiveness of public health and social measures, diagnostic methods, immune responses, antibody neutralization, or other relevant characteristics
  • Individuals are reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of COVID-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated 

Here are all the countries that have recorded cases of Omicron Covid-19 since the discovery of the strain by researchers in South Africa

  • South Africa **183 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • US** variant has been found in almost one-third of US states
  • India **Total tally of Omicron cases in India raised to 21
  • Saudi Arabia **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
  • UAE **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
  • Nigeria **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • UK ** A further 86 cases of the Omicron Covid variant have been reported in Britain as of 05Dec2021, taking the total to 246
  • Japan ** Japan reports 3rd case of Omicron variant in traveler who had been in Italy
  • France ** France has confirmed it has detected 9 cases of the omicron variant
  • Brazil ** 3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Netherlands **18 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Germany **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
  • Hongkong **4 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Canada **15 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Australia **15 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Portugal **19 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Botswana **19 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Spain **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Belgium **9 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Italy **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
  • Switzerland **2 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Austria **1 confirmed case of Omicron variant reported
  • Denmark ** Country saw confirmed cases increase to 183 of the Omicron variant of Covid-19
  • Sweden **3 confirmed cases of Omicron variant reported
  • Chile ** 1 confirmed case of omicron variant reported