Covid-19: the Omicron variant represents a “high to very high” risk for Europe

In a risk assessment report, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) notes that there is still “considerable uncertainty regarding contagiousness, vaccine efficacy, risk of re-infection and other characteristics of the Omicron variant “. “The general level of risk for the EU and EEA (European Economic Area, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) associated with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is considered high to very high,” according to the ECDC.

In view of the possibility that current vaccines do not protect against this variant, and the fact that it could be more contagious, “we consider high the probability of new arrivals and contaminations (by Omicron) in the EU and the EEA “Says the Stockholm-based agency. “In a situation where the Delta variant is making a comeback in the EU and EEA, the impact of the introduction and possible spread of Omicron could be very high,” she added.

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Apart from South Africa, Omicron has been detected in Malawi, Israel on a person from Malawi, Botswana, Hong Kong and Belgium, a member of the EU. ECDC urged countries to conduct genome analyzes to trace confirmed cases, and travelers not to travel to affected areas.

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The new variant B.1.1.529 of Covid-19 was classified Friday of “concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO). This classification places Omicron in the most disturbing category of Covid-19 variants, alongside the Delta, which currently dominates the planet, and its weaker rivals, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. More countries are suspending travel to and from southern Africa to curb Omicron. The worry it causes has plunged the world’s stock markets and oil prices, dealing a further blow to the global economy in full recovery.