The new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa, providing the world a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed.
An Orange Farm, South Africa, resident receives her jab against COVID-19 Friday Dec. 3, 2021 at the Orange Farm multipurpose center. South Africa has accelerated its vaccination campaign a week after the discovery of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Even with the rapid increase, infections are still below the 25,000 new daily cases that South Africa reported in the previous surge, in June and July. But in a worrisome development, South African scientists reported that omicron appears more likely than earlier variants to cause reinfections among people who have already had a bout with COVID-19.
The picture could change because most of those infected thus far have been younger people, who generally do not get as sick as older patients. But Moyo expressed hope that vaccines would continue to work against the variant. That means continuing to push for higher vaccination rates, abiding by social-distancing guidelines, and wearing masks, among other measures, said WHO Regional Emergency Director Dr. Babatunde Olowokure.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
South Africa scientists: Omicron triples Covid infectionsOmicron variant is three times more likely to cause reinfections compared to the Delta or Beta strains, scientists say in a preliminary study.
Les mer »
Scientists Studying Omicron in South Africa See Rise in Covid-19 ReinfectionsScientists in South Africa tracking the spread of Omicron say they are seeing a rise in coronavirus reinfections in people who had recovered from Covid-19, suggesting previous infection provides reduced protection against the new variant
Les mer »
Omicron was in Europe long before travel bans on southern AfricaCovid-19 vaccines helped to prevent tens of thousands of deaths among seniors in the US between January and May of this year. Despite their widespread availability and efficacy, many people are refusing a shot.
Les mer »
South Africa considers vaccine mandates as omicron cases spiralAfter first identifying the omicron Covid-19 variant, South Africa is bracing for a fourth wave of infections.
Les mer »
Omicron outbreak at Norway Christmas party is biggest outside S. Africa -authoritiesAt least 13 people in Oslo have been infected with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus following a corporate Christmas party described as a 'super spreader event', and their numbers could rise to over 60 cases, authorities said on Friday. The outbreak took place at a Christmas party on Nov. 26 organised by renewable energy company Scatec, which has operations in South Africa where the variant was first detected. 'This party has been a super spreader event,' Preben Aavitsland, a senior physician at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, told Reuters by email.
Les mer »
Omicron-stricken South Africa may be glimpse into the future | AP NewsJOHANNESBURG (AP) — Dr. Sikhulile Moyo was analyzing COVID-19 samples in his lab in Botswana last week when he noticed they looked startlingly different from others. Within days, the world was ablaze with the news that the coronavirus had a new variant of concern — one that appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa and offering a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed.
Les mer »