The World Health Organization (WHO) says a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa is one “of concern” as some countries have now restricted travellers arriving from the African region..The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE), an independent body of experts that monitor and evaluate the evolution of the virus, was tapped by the WHO on Friday to assess the new variant – B.1.1.529..According to the WHO, the variant, now named Omicron, was first reported from South Africa on Wednesday although the first known confirmed infection was from a specimen collected November 9..“The variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning,” said the WHO in a statement..“Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other variants of concern (VOCs).”.Reports from the WHO say the number of cases of Omicron are on the rise, however, only a few dozen infections have been reported so far in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel..Although there is no evidence yet proving the variant is more lethal, transmissible, or resistant to the current COVID-19 vaccines, nations around the world have begun to restrict travellers arriving from countries in southern Africa and other affected areas..“All air travel to these countries should be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive arm, said in a statement..“And travellers returning from this region should respect strict quarantine rules.”.Both the United States and Canada have announced restrictions on travellers arriving from affected areas in southern Africa along with more than a dozen other countries..Canada’s Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters at a news conference on Friday the country is implementing five measures to “protect the health and safety of Canadians” as concerns rise over the variant:.All foreign nationals who have travelled through South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini or Mozambique in the last 14 days will be barred from entering Canada. Those who have arrived in Canada in the past 14 days from those countries are being asked to quarantine immediately until they get a negative COVID-19 test result. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to return home from these countries, but they will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and wait for results at a hotel. If the test is negative, they would be released to quarantine for 14 days at home and must take another test on the eighth day of quarantine. Global Affairs Canada is issuing a travel advisory asking Canadians not to travel to southern Africa for now. Canadians returning from that region will need to be tested in the last country they transited through before returning home (there are currently no direct flights between that region and Canada)..Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Croatia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the Phillippines and Singapore governments have all restricted flights from South Africa..The New York Times reported stocks around the world took a tumble Friday as markets were spooked by the news of the variant..Countries in Europe were the first to announce travel bans on Friday as Europeans deal with growing cases of breakthrough infections and surging case numbers..The WHO says TAG-VE will continue to evaluate Omicron and will continue to communicate any new findings..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
The World Health Organization (WHO) says a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa is one “of concern” as some countries have now restricted travellers arriving from the African region..The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE), an independent body of experts that monitor and evaluate the evolution of the virus, was tapped by the WHO on Friday to assess the new variant – B.1.1.529..According to the WHO, the variant, now named Omicron, was first reported from South Africa on Wednesday although the first known confirmed infection was from a specimen collected November 9..“The variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning,” said the WHO in a statement..“Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other variants of concern (VOCs).”.Reports from the WHO say the number of cases of Omicron are on the rise, however, only a few dozen infections have been reported so far in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel..Although there is no evidence yet proving the variant is more lethal, transmissible, or resistant to the current COVID-19 vaccines, nations around the world have begun to restrict travellers arriving from countries in southern Africa and other affected areas..“All air travel to these countries should be suspended until we have a clear understanding about the danger posed by this new variant,” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union’s executive arm, said in a statement..“And travellers returning from this region should respect strict quarantine rules.”.Both the United States and Canada have announced restrictions on travellers arriving from affected areas in southern Africa along with more than a dozen other countries..Canada’s Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters at a news conference on Friday the country is implementing five measures to “protect the health and safety of Canadians” as concerns rise over the variant:.All foreign nationals who have travelled through South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini or Mozambique in the last 14 days will be barred from entering Canada. Those who have arrived in Canada in the past 14 days from those countries are being asked to quarantine immediately until they get a negative COVID-19 test result. Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to return home from these countries, but they will be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and wait for results at a hotel. If the test is negative, they would be released to quarantine for 14 days at home and must take another test on the eighth day of quarantine. Global Affairs Canada is issuing a travel advisory asking Canadians not to travel to southern Africa for now. Canadians returning from that region will need to be tested in the last country they transited through before returning home (there are currently no direct flights between that region and Canada)..Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Croatia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the Phillippines and Singapore governments have all restricted flights from South Africa..The New York Times reported stocks around the world took a tumble Friday as markets were spooked by the news of the variant..Countries in Europe were the first to announce travel bans on Friday as Europeans deal with growing cases of breakthrough infections and surging case numbers..The WHO says TAG-VE will continue to evaluate Omicron and will continue to communicate any new findings..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
