Not Clear if Omicron COVID Variant More Transmissible, Severe Than Others: WHO

According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is not yet clear whether the new COVID-19 variant, 'Omicron' is more transmissible or severe compared to Delta and other previous variants of the virus, WHO said in a statement.

There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with the Omicron variant are different from those from other variants.

Meanwhile, preliminary evidence is suggestive that Omicron comes with a heightened risk of reinfection, which means people infected with the coronavirus in the past may be more prone to catching the virus again.

In the WHO statement, the agency's Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) stated, “The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors."

Effectiveness of Vaccines

In regards to the effectiveness of vaccines, the WHO is working to understand the potential impact of this variant on the existing countermeasures.

The WHO emphasised, "Vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant, Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death."

Effectiveness of Current Treatments

Further, the WHO stated that corticosteroids and IL6 receptor blockers will still be effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19.

For the Omicron variant, other treatments will be assessed to see if they are still as effective given the changes to parts of the virus.

While tests to establish the variant's potential effect on the COVID-19 vaccines are underway, as per present evidence, RT-PCR tests can detect the strain.

Highlighting the inequities in access to vaccines, the WHO said, "In addition, it is vitally important that inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines are urgently addressed to ensure that vulnerable groups everywhere, including health workers and older persons, receive their first and second doses, alongside equitable access to treatment and diagnostics."

(With inputs from WHO.)