WHO labels new COVID strain Omicron, designates it a ‘variant of concern’

November 28, 2021

(United nations News) The latest COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa has been given the Greek name ‘Omicron’, and labeled as a variant of concern by UN health agency experts due to its large number of mutations and possible faster rate of infection.

According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), preliminary evidence also suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant of concern, as compared to other strains, such as Delta.

Currently the number of cases appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. WHO explains that the variant has been detected at faster rates than in previous surges in infection, suggesting it “may have a growth advantage”.

The experts have asked countries to enhance surveillance and genome sequencing efforts to better understand the variant.

Read more at: United Nations News

Staff Writer, CARICOM November 27, 2021