Status: 11/26/2021 8:17 p.m.
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The World Health Organization has classified the new variant of the coronavirus as “worrying”. The virus variant B.1.1.529, which was first discovered in South Africa, was given the name “Omikron”.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the new coronavirus variant, which was first discovered in South Africa, as “worrying”. The pathogen with the scientific name B.1.1.529 “has a large number of mutations”, the responsible WHO expert committee justified the decision. Preliminary evidence indicated an increased risk of re-infection with the virus. However, according to the WHO, it will be weeks before it becomes clear what the exact effects of the mutations are.
Worldwide travel restrictions for South Africa due to the new Corona variant
Stefan Maier, ARD Johannesburg, daily show 20:00, 26.11.2021
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The WHO gave the new virus variant the official name Omicron – after the Greek letter. According to the World Health Organization, it was discovered in South Africa through a genetic analysis of a smear taken on November 9th. In the meantime, the number of infections with this virus variant is apparently increasing in almost all provinces of South Africa. The new virus variant has so far been genetically sequenced less than 100 times. During the day, the first European case of infection with the Omikron variant was detected in Belgium.
Fifth worrying variant
So far, the international health authority had identified four “variants of concern”: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and the Delta variant, which is currently dominant in Germany and other countries, and which contributed to the fourth wave of pandemics due to its high transferability. In addition, two “variants of interest” are listed that occurred in South America around the turn of the year 2020/2021.
According to the WHO definition, this classification as “worrying” is a signal that a variant is more contagious or leads to more severe disease courses. In addition, with “worrying variants” there is a risk that conventional vaccinations, medication or corona measures will be less effective.
The World Health Organization is skeptical of the travel restrictions imposed by many countries in southern Africa. Because of the new variant, such measures should not be imposed prematurely, said WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier. From the perspective of the WHO, damage to international traffic should be avoided. Instead, the precise observation of the infection process and the genetic analysis of any corona cases should be relied on.
