A new variant of the Coronavirus, Omicron, has reached India. Omicron infection has been detected in two persons in Karnataka so far. Lav Agarwal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Health, warned Indians against it at a press conference.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that the new variant of the virus has been detected in the US too. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease specialist, confirmed the information.
No one has been able to say for sure how fast the new variant spreads, or how effective are existing vaccines against it. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) chief, Tedros Ghebreyesus told a news conference that there was a toxic mix of reduced testing and vaccination around the world i.e., a “recipe” for new variants to emerge.
According to Reuters, India was preparing to launch commercial flights before the new variant was identified. Now, the country will reschedule and set a new date. The central government of India has asked the states to increase testing.
Omicron Case Detected In The US Too
Infections in the country increased dramatically in April and May. The number of people infected with the Coronavirus in India so far is more than 34.68 million, according to Worldometer, More than 4,89,000 patients have died in the country.
It is also to be noted that more than 3.4 crore people have recovered, too. Only the US is ahead of India in terms of identification of new cases.
According to CNN, Fauci, while addressing a news conference at the White House, said that the man who tested positive for Omicron had gone to South Africa on November 22, 2021. On November 29, he tested positive. The resident of California is currently under quarantine.
Omicron’s Symptoms Are Mild
People who came in contact with him are being tested. The man was fully vaccinated. He is showing mild symptoms. At present, his physical condition is improving.
Apart from India and the US, Finland has also confirmed a case of Omicron. Earlier, Botswana, South Africa, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia, said the same.
Scientists in South Africa are studying Omicron infection. For those who have been infected or vaccinated against the virus before, the symptoms are not too severe. “We believe re-infection will be less serious,” said Annie von Gotberg, a scientist at South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
The first Omicron case was detected on November 8, 2021, in Gauteng, a populous province in South Africa. On November 24, the country’s health authorities confirmed the matter to the rest of the world.
It is Wrong To Isolate A Specific Region
US president Joe Biden says tougher rules regarding testing for Covid-19, for travelers to the country, will come into effect soon. The traveler must have a negative certificate from the day before their trip to the US. This rule will apply to all international travelers, even if they are vaccinated.
According to AFP, UN (United Nations) secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the Coronavirus was indeed borderless. Former secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has criticised the imposition of travel bans targeting specific countries and regions. He termed it as unfair and ineffective.
Since the new variant has come to light, various countries have imposed travel bans on African countries. At least 70 countries and territories have imposed such travel bans. Large economies, including the US and UK, are among the countries that have imposed such sanctions.
Measures To Protect Public Health Needed
Ghebreyesus has called for tougher public health measures to prevent Coronavirus infections. According to the AFP, the member states of WHO have agreed to formulate new international rules to deal with possible, future, global pandemics.
A resolution to this effect was adopted at a special meeting of the member states in Switzerland’s Geneva. According to him, measures will be taken to prevent such global pandemics.