WHO Warns Omicron Variant Risk Is ‘Very High’

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Passengers arrive at Heathrow Airport in London, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. The new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in more European countries on Saturday, just days after being identified in South Africa, leaving governments around the world scrambling to stop the spread. In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said mask-wearing in shops and on public transport will be required, starting Tuesday. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

GENEVA — The World Health Organization says the global risk from the omicron variant of the coronavirus is “very high” based on early evidence, warning of the possibility of future surges with “severe consequences.”

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The U.N. health agency, in a technical brief to member states highlighted to reporters on Monday, said “considerable uncertainties” remain about the new variant that was first detected in southern Africa, but cautioned that the likelihood of possible further spread around the world was high.

Based on the possibility that mutations in omicron could escape an immune response and boost its ability to be transmitted between people, “the likelihood of potential further spread of omicron at the global level is high,” WHO said.

“Depending on these characteristics, there could be future surges of COVID-19, which could have severe consequences, depending on a number of factors including where surges may take place,” it added. “The overall global risk related to the new VOC Omicron is assessed as very high.”


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Puzzle: rearrange omicron
Puzzle: rearrange omicron
2 years ago

An IQ test question: rearrange Omicron to form another word. Answer: Moronic. As in: the moronic faucists are so petrified with a variant which actually doesn’t cause increase in fatalities and hospitalizations, as described by the South African doctors who actually discovered this variant.

Sara
Sara
2 years ago

I’m so scared! I’m petrified!! I’m going to lock myself at home and never leave. I’m canceling my vacation. I’m pulling my kids out of school and getting myself a 6th booster just in case. Shaking!!!

D. Fault
D. Fault
2 years ago

“Risk Is ‘Very High’”Risk of what? Catching a very mild version of Covid? Not much at risk here!

Iyar5
Iyar5
2 years ago

This variant was only fabricated to give Isreal another excuse to yet again shutter their border so We authentic Jews are yet again being banished from our Jewish homeland, but of-course welocming in the פריצות pageant women with open arms, so we know even Israel doesn’t really belive this Omicron to really be dangerous.