Omicron Variant to invade Africa continent from Europe and America is certain as truth unveiled by Dutch health agency , but some promotional press agencies blaming South Africa and Africa at large as unkept continent, reading their headlines and disappointing information about the unidentified Omicron Variant .
From the information gathered from World Health Organization , the causes of COVID-19, known as B.1.1.529, has been labeled the “Omicron variant” also classified as a “variant of concern.” on November 24 2021-
According to series of trending Common questions on Google on COVID-19 related cases. American journalist BILL CHAPPELL reported a well documented and transparent article on NPR.org without fear or favour.
“Abnormalities prompted retest of old samples; links to southern Africa are unclear”
The omicron coronavirus variant was already in the Netherlands a week before South Africa reported the new variant to the World Health Organization, according to a Dutch health agency.
The variant was recently identified in retests of samples that were taken on Nov. 19 and 23, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, or RIVM, announced on Tuesday.
The Netherlands had previously reported more than a dozen omicron COVID-19 cases, detected in tests at an Amsterdam airport on Nov. 26, when 624 people arrived in the country from South Africa.
Dutch authorities scrutinized the older samples after initial PCR tests found abnormalities in the coronavirus’ spike protein — the omicron variant has 26 to 32 mutations in that area alone, according to the WHO.
microbiologist Prof Calum Semple says vaccines are “still likely to protect you from severe disease”. The Omicron coronavirus variant is “not a disaster” and some people may be “hugely overstating the situation”, the scientist advising the government says.
“This is probably the most mutated virus we’d ever seen,” said virologist Alex Sigal, who is leading the team of researchers that first identified the new variant.
It was also gathered that the Omicron variant has more than 50 mutations — with over 30 in the spike protein — enhancing the virus’ ability to infect the body.
Scientists will know in about 10 days whether existing vaccines can stop Omicron, but Alex Sigal was confident while speaking with CBS news “the current vaccines will still provide protection against severe illness and hospitalization” Alex added.
But Sigal warned that as long as Africa lags behind in vaccinations, the virus will continue to mutate. Omicron has mainly infected young people in Africa, and South with no clear documentations. African doctors say those infected have mild symptoms for the most part.
Italy recently reported death cases, yet to be verified as other contradict their claims. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on their report stated
A number of probable cases have also been reported from across the region, but these are still under investigation. All confirmed cases have a history of travel to African countries, with some having taken connecting flights at other destinations between Africa and Europe. All cases for which there is available information on severity were either asymptomatic or mild. No severe cases and no deaths have been reported among these cases so far.
Cases have been reported in seven countries and territories outside of the EU/EEA (Australia, Botswana, Canada, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, South Africa, United Kingdom)”
