After Omicron variant, another storm coming: WHO

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• Dec 22, 2021 | moderator

London: With the Omicron variant already targeting in more than 50 countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that if people continue to flout Covid restrictions, soon the situation might go out of hand.

Already a dominant strain in the United Kingdom, the new Omicron variant has forced the nation to reinstate Covid restrictions. Curbs and restrictions have been also imposed on festivities and Christmas celebrations.

The WHO has warned the European nations of “another storm” that might cripple the health sector in the coming weeks. The health organization has requested the government to brace for a probable “outbreak”.

Also read: Omicron Threat: “It’s better to cancel celebrations than to die”, says WHO

Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Boris Johnson has ruled out any restrictions or curbs for the Christmas celebrations in England. On the other hand, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are going ahead with curbs on crowding.

The Swedish government has asked its people to work from home if possible and only seated guests shall be served at bars, cafes and restaurants.

Meanwhile, tighter restrictions have been implemented in Netherlands with a strict lockdown imposed on Monday.

Already Europe has added more than 89 million cases in its total Covid caseloads, and 1.5 million Covid-related deaths, as per the latest EU figures.

First detected in South Africa, the Omicron variant has since spread across the globe. Health experts have suggested that the new Covid variant is far more infectious than the Delta variant, but no serious illnesses have been witnessed among the infected.

At least 38 of the 53 countries in the WHO’s European region have detected the variant and is already a dominant strain in several countries.

Also read: Vaccine Apartheid: the next covid crisis

Warning on the lingering danger ahead following the Omicron variant being detected, Director General of WHO Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the new infections can lead to more hospitalization and widespread disruption on the health services, taking many countries to a critical juncture.

“Countries that have detected Omicron variant should not take the infection lightly and instead prepare themselves to face any untoward situation, added Dr Tedros.