Omicron: How nervous ought to we be over the brand new Covid variant? – BBC Newsnight
The World Well being Group (WHO) has declared a brand new coronavirus variant to be “of concern” and named it Omicron. How involved ought to we be? Please subscribe HERE
The WHO stated the variant had numerous mutations, and early proof recommended a doable elevated threat of reinfection.
It was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on 24 November, and has additionally been recognized in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.
A number of nations banned journey from southern Africa on Thursday.
It’s not unusual for a virus to alter, or mutate, over time. A variant turns into a variant of concern when that mutation would possibly have an effect on issues like transmissibility, virulence or the effectiveness of vaccines.
In an announcement on Friday the WHO stated the variety of circumstances of this variant, initially named B.1.1.529, appeared to be rising in virtually all of South Africa’s provinces.
The WHO has stated it’ll take a number of weeks to grasp the influence of the brand new variant, as scientists work to find out how transmissible it’s.
Newsnight’s Well being Correspondent Deb Cohen studies.
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Newsnight is the BBC’s flagship information and present affairs TV programme – with evaluation, debate, exclusives, and strong interviews.
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