Omicron is spreading faster than any other Covid variants: WHO

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• Dec 15, 2021 | moderator

New Delhi: The World Health Organization(WHO) has warned people about the spread of Omicron, stating that this variant is spreading faster than any other Covid-19 variant.

During a media conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant."

He added, "Seventy-seven nations have now confirmed cases of Omicron. And the fact is that Omicron is likely in most nations, even if it hasn't been detected yet."

Tedros also stated that the WHO is worried that nations consider Omicron a mild variant. Though Omicron is more infectious, it is not yet clear whether the strain causes more mild or severe illness than past variants of the virus.

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"We have understood by now that we undervalue this virus at our risk," Tedros said. "Even if omicron does cause less severe illness, the very number of patients could once again dominate unprepared health systems."

He has warned people that vaccines alone won't protect individuals from this variant. Therefore, he has emphasized the usage of masks and the practice of social distancing. 

"It's not vaccines instead of masks. It's not vaccines instead of distancing. It's not vaccines instead ventilation or hand hygiene. Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it well," Tedros expressed.

Earlier, it has been claimed that the Omicron variant gradually reduced the protection against infection provided by the vaccines. Yet, the double-dose vaccines probably still safeguard against severe infection.