Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA has so far reported 18 cases of the coronavirus variant Omicron, while it is rapidly spreading around the globe and scientists report it can partially evade existing immune defenses.
How often the variant causes severe disease is still being determined.
In neighbouring South Africa, up to 70% of sampled Covid-19 cases in the last month were as a result of the Omicron variant.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla said Omicron was fast becoming the dominant variant in South Africa, overtaking the Delta variant, News24 reported.
Omicron has risen to more than 44% of cases in London and is expected to become the dominant variant in the city in the next 48 hours.
According to the BBC, one person in the UK has died with the Omicron variant.
In the United States of America, the New York Times reported researchers testing samples saw a rapid rise in cases with a mutation that is characteristic of the Omicron variant, mirroring trends that have emerged in countries like South Africa, Britain and Denmark.
Public health authorities in Denmark and Norway predicted that Omicron will dominate both countries in a matter of days.
The rapid spread rate will lead to a drastic increase in cases and could put immense pressure on hospitals, even if it proves to be mild.
Bloomberg reports Omicron cases double in Denmark every second day.
China faces a new Covid outbreak after the first Omicron case was reported there, according to Al Jazeera.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, and current vaccines remain effective.
Preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron as compared to other variants of concern.
There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants.
The WHO urged countries to continue with public health measures to reduce Covid-19 circulation overall.
The most effective steps individuals can take are to keep a physical distance of at least one metre from others; wear a well-fitting mask; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated.
President Hage Geingob will at 15:00 today address the nation on the current Covid-19 measures.
The 38th Public Briefing will be live-streamed on Informanté’s Facebook page.
