Countries must take all measures to prevent spread of Omicron, alerts WHO

“Countries can – and must – prevent the spread of Omicron with the proven health and social measures. Our focus must continue to be to protect the least protected and those at high risk,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.

She also warned that Omicron is spreading faster than the Delta variant.

According to an official statement issued by the WHO, there is an emerging data from South Africa suggesting an increased risk of re-infection with Omicron but there is limited data on the clinical severity of Omicron.

While cautioning people on Omicron, the Regional Director said even if it does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm health systems.

“We must continue to do it all. Protect yourself and protect each other. Get vaccinated, wear a mask, keep a distance, open windows, clean your hands and cough and sneeze safely. Continue to take all precautions even after taking vaccine doses,” she said.

She further said the studies are underway to better understand the extent to which Omicron may evade vaccine and the extent to which current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death associated with Omicron.

“Vaccines are an important tool in our fight against the pandemic, but, as we know, vaccines alone will not get any country out of this pandemic. We must scale up vaccination and at the same time implement public health and social measures, which have proven critical to limiting transmission of COVID-19 and reducing deaths,” the Regional Director added.