Omicron Spreading At A Rate Not Seen With Any Other Covid Variant, Says WHO

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said that Omicron was probably present in every country of the world.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (AFP)

New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Omicron was spreading faster than any previous coronavirus variant. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said that Omicron was probably present in every country of the world, ANI reported.

Addressing a press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "77 countries have now reported cases of Omicron and the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn't been detected yet. Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant."

READ | First Death Due To Omicron Covid-19 Variant Recorded in UK, Informs PM Boris Johnson

WHO has said that faster transmission of the Omicron variant was noted in South Africa, where it was first detected, and in Britain. On Monday, Britain reported the first death due to the Omicron variant.

Omicron has prompted countries around the world to impose travel bans on southern African countries and reintroduce domestic restrictions.

The WHO Director-General noted that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant had prompted some countries to roll out Covid vaccine booster programmes. 

"This is even while we lack evidence for the effectiveness of boosters against this variant," he said.

Asserting that WHO was not against boosters, Ghebreyesus said, "WHO is concerned that such programmes will repeat the Covid-19 vaccine hoarding we saw this year, and exacerbate inequity. It is clear that as we move forward, boosters could play an important role, especially for those at highest risk of severe disease death."

"Let me be very clear, WHO is not against boosters. We are against inequality. Our main concern is to save lives, everywhere," he said.

Last week, the UK set a new target for all adults in England to be offered a booster by the end of December. Australia has said it will reduce the waiting time for booster shots.

According to an analysis conducted by Discovery Health, South Africa's largest private health insurer, and the South African Medical Research Council, the Omicron variant appeared to cause less severe disease than previous versions of the coronavirus.