The Omicron strain of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in countries with high levels of population immunity, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. As of December 16, omicron had been found in 89 countries.
According to the WHO, the number of people infected with the new strain doubles within one and a half to three days. It is unclear whether the rise in omicron is due to its ability to evade immunity to COVID-19, its increased transmissibility, or a combination of both, the organization said.
“Information on the clinical severity of the omicron disease is still limited … To date, there is no data on the effectiveness of vaccines (existing.— “B”) against the omicron, ”the WHO said in a press release (quoted by Reuters).
The WHO has warned that with such an increase in the incidence in some countries, hospitals can quickly overflow. She cited the rise in hospital admissions in the UK and South Africa as an example. “Given the rapidly growing number of cases (infections .— “B”), it is possible that many healthcare systems can quickly overload, ”the organization added.
A new strain of coronavirus began to spread in November in African countries. WHO has characterized omicron as less dangerous than the delta strain. In Russia, “omicron” was detected in 25 people. The head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, called the rate of spread of the new version of the coronavirus frightening.
About what measures will help contain the spread of the strain, read in the material “Kommersant FM” “” Omicron went all out. “
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