Omicron : Dr Faheem Younus recommends that countries make compulsory PCR testing 48 hours before departure for Omicron variants
With a new type of coronavirus Omicron is now found in several countries. Around the world and poses a “very high” global risk, Drs. Faheem Younus, Head of Infectious Diseases at the University of Maryland has suggested three steps that can help governments avoid restricting travel. .
Younus in a Twitter post said. “Use these three steps and you can no longer impose a ban on COVID-19 movement.”
He suggested that countries make a PCR test for coronavirus. Binding 48 hours before departure to find a variant of Omicron.
Airlines should seek proof of immunization from passengers in order to reduce the risk of infection.
To reduce the risk of transmission of the virus, passengers should all be instructed to wear the KN95 mask.
On November 26, 2021, the WHO appointed a separate. B.1.1.529 alternative concern, called Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). This decision is based on the evidence presented in TAG-VE. That Omicron has a number of changes that may affect its behavior. For example, how easily it spreads or the severity of the disease it causes. Here is a summary of what is currently known.
Current information about Omicron
Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies. To better understand the many aspects of Omicron. And will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available.
Transmission: It is not yet clear whether Omicron is highly contagious. (e.g., easily spread from person to person). Compared to other alternatives, including Delta. The number of people diagnosed with the virus is increasing. In the affected areas of South Africa, but epidemiologic research is underway to determine whether it is due to Omicron or other factors.
Disease scarcity: It is not yet clear whether Omicron infection causes. The most serious disease compared to other strains, including Delta. Preliminary data suggest an increase in hospital admissions in South Africa. But this may be due to an increase in the number of people infected. Rather than the result of a particular infection with Omicron. There is currently no information that suggests that Omicron-related brands are different from those from other brands. The diseases previously reported were among university students. Young people who are prone to soft tissue — but understanding the severity of the Omicron variant will take days to a few weeks. All of the variants of COVID-19, which include the world-class Delta variant, can cause serious illness or death, especially for high-risk individuals, so prevention is always important.
The effectiveness of previous SARS-CoV-2 infections
Preliminary evidence suggests that there may be an increased risk of re-infection with Omicron (i.e., people who have previously had COVID-19 may re-infect more easily with Omicron), compared to other alternative concerns, but the information is limited. More information on this will be available in the coming days and weeks.
Vaccination effectiveness: WHO is working with technology partners to understand the potential impact of this variant in our existing resistance estimates, including vaccines. Vaccines are always important in reducing serious illnesses and deaths, including resistance to the rotating diversity, Delta. Current vaccines are still effective against serious illness and death.
Current testing performance: The most widely used PCR tests continue to detect infections, including Omicron infection, as we have seen with other types as well. Research is underway to determine whether there are implications for other types of tests, including rapid screening for antigen detection.
Current therapeutic efficacy: Corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers will still be effective in treating patients with severe COVID-19. Other treatments will be tested to see if they are still effective in terms of mutations in the various viral components of Omicron.
Studies are ongoing
Currently, WHO is working with a large number of researchers around the world to better understand Omicron. Ongoing or ongoing research soon includes infection testing, infection risk (including symptoms), efficacy of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and treatment success.
WHO encourages countries to contribute to the collection and sharing of hospitalized patient data through the WHO COVID-19 Clinical Data Platform to quickly define clinical features and patient outcomes.
More information will appear in the coming days and weeks. The WHO TAG-VE will continue to monitor and evaluate the data as it becomes available and evaluate how genetic mutations in Omicron alter the behavior of the virus.
Recommended international actions
With Omicron designated as a variant of Concern, there are a number of steps the WHO recommends for countries to take, including improving monitoring and follow-up cases; genetic sequence sharing of publicly available information, such as GISAID; reporting initial cases or clusters to WHO; conducting field research and laboratory tests to better understand whether Omicron has different transmission or disease characteristics, or affects the effectiveness of vaccines, treatments, diagnoses or public health and social measures. Further details on the announcement dated 26 November.
Countries should continue to use effective public health measures to reduce the distribution of COVID-19 as a whole, using risk analysis and a science-based approach. They should increase certain public health and medical powers to control the increase in cases. The WHO provides countries with support and guidance in both readiness and response.
