At just over 0.2 per cent, the country’s death rate also remains among the lowest globally
The Omicron variant is likely to spread internationally, posing a “very high” global risk where Covid-19 surges could have “severe consequences” in some areas, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.
The U.N. agency, in technical advice to its 194 member states, urged them to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups and to “ensure mitigation plans are in place” to maintain essential health services.
“Omicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic,” the WHO said. “The overall global risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron is assessed as very high.”
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Further research is needed to better understand Omicron’s potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines and previous infections, it said, adding that more data was expected in coming weeks.
“Covid -19 cases and infections are expected in vaccinated persons, albeit in a small and predictable proportion”, it added.
At just over 0.2 per cent, the country’s death rate also remains among the lowest globally
Over 179 million PCR tests have been conducted in the country so far
The announcement coincides with a drop in the number of registered coronavirus cases
Over 178.6 million PCR tests have been conducted in the country so far
A total of at least eight cities and towns say their residents must not go beyond where they live
City health officials warn infections could hit 8,000 in the coming weeks
Foreigners who want to leave must test negative in five PCR tests over seven days
Over 178.6 million PCR tests have been conducted in the country so far