The Omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic COVID surge in South Africa, providing a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed globally
Dr. Sikhulile Moyo was analyzing COVID-19 samples in his lab in Botswana last week when he noticed they looked startlingly different from others.
Even with the rapid increase, infections are still below the 25,000 new daily cases that South Africa reported in the previous surge, in June and July., but the spike in South Africa suggests it might be more contagious, said Moyo, the scientist who may have been the first to identify the new variant, though researchers in neighboring South Africa were close on his heels. Omicron has more than 50 mutations, and scientists have called it a big jump in the evolution of the virus.
“Previous infection used to protect against Delta, and now with Omicron it doesn’t seem to be the case,” one of the researchers, Anne von Gottberg of the University of Witwatersrand, said at a World Health Organization briefing on Thursday.Deforestation is erasing the line between humans and wild animals — and increasing the chances of the next global pandemic.
“I have a lot of hope from the data that we see that those vaccinated should be able to have a lot of protection,” he said.While warning that cases could well rise quickly because of Omicron, Dr. Takeshi Kasai, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, said the measures used against— which itself caused surges the world over — should remain at the core of the response.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
South Africa considers vaccine mandates as omicron cases spiralAfter first identifying the omicron Covid-19 variant, South Africa is bracing for a fourth wave of infections.
Baca lebih lajut »
Omicron-stricken South Africa may be glimpse into the futureThe new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa, providing the world a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed.
Baca lebih lajut »
How South African scientists discovered Omicron and set off a global chain reactionIn the early days of November, laboratory technicians at Lancet Laboratories in Pretoria, South Africa, found unusual features in samples they were testing for the coronavirus.
Baca lebih lajut »
Scientists Studying Omicron in South Africa See Rise in Covid-19 ReinfectionsScientists in South Africa tracking the spread of Omicron say they are seeing a rise in coronavirus reinfections in people who had recovered from Covid-19, suggesting previous infection provides reduced protection against the new variant
Baca lebih lajut »
South Africa scientists: Omicron triples Covid infectionsOmicron variant is three times more likely to cause reinfections compared to the Delta or Beta strains, scientists say in a preliminary study.
Baca lebih lajut »