The World Health Organization (WHO) provides encouraging predictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. It says the Omicron variant will create a new phase of COVID-19 and end the pandemic, at least in Europe.
WHO Europe director Hans Klunge said the region was starting to move towards the end of the pandemic.
“After the Omicron wave hits Europe and now it subsides, there will be weeks and months of global immunity. Either because of the vaccine or because people have immunity from infection,” he said, quoted by SCMP, Monday (24/1/2022) .
“So we anticipate there will be a period of calm before COVID-19 returns towards the end of the year, but it’s not necessarily a pandemic again,” added Kluge.
A number of studies say the Omicron variant is milder in symptoms than the Delta. This raises hopes that the Corona virus will change from a pandemic to an endemic that is easier to deal with.
“There’s been a lot of talk about being endemic… because it’s endemic, it’s very possible to predict what will happen next. This virus has really taken us by surprise, we have to be very careful,” Klunge said.
On the other hand, he urged people to remain obedient and take responsibility for the safety of themselves and others.
“If you are not feeling well, stay at home. If positive, isolate,” he said.
In the WHO Europe region, which comprises 53 countries including several Central Asian countries, the Omicron variant already represented 15 new cases as of 18 January.
Watch Videos “WHO Says Need To Be Careful If You Want To Change The Tactics Against Omicron“
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