New Delhi: New findings about the 'Omicron' variant of the coronavirus made it clear on Tuesday that this emerging threat has spread widely in countries even before action to control the spread was initiated. Two countries have been confirmed to have the Omicron case before South Africa. A third reported its presence even before South African officials sounded alarm bells. RIVM Health Institute in the Netherlands' informed that 'Omicron' was found in the samples that were collected on November 19 and 23.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that South Africa first informed the United Nations Health Agency about this variant on November 24. It is not clear where or when the new variant first emerged or how contagious it may be, but it has forced countries to impose travel restrictions, especially on those arriving from Southern African countries. South Africa has criticized these steps and the WHO has described the limited impact of such steps.
A different kind of concern around the world
This new information about new variants of corona virus has now raised a different kind of concern around the world. However, many experts have tried to allay the fear by saying that anti-Covid vaccines are still the biggest weapon against the virus.
The Netherlands, Belgium and France have now reported cases of infection from people who were in their countries before the European Union imposed a flight ban. Japan announced it was banning the arrival of all foreign travelers from Tuesday but it was too late as it confirmed its first case on the same day involving a Namibian diplomat who had recently arrived from his country. Meanwhile, Cambodia banned the arrival of travelers from 10 African countries due to the risk of a new form of the virus.
The WHO has said that scientists are working to find out the exact information about the new form of the virus, but countries should intensify their vaccination campaign. While there is concern around the world about the new variant, doctors in South Africa have said that only mild symptoms have been reported in people infected with 'Omicron'. However, he has said that these are preliminary figures right now.