Evidence from South Africa, where the Omicron variant already dominates, shows a high rate of reinfection of people who have already had the coronavirus.
The West African country reported at least three cases in recent travelers. It also initially said it had found an Omicron case from October, a statement it later withdrew.
The sample, found in retrospective sequencing of previously confirmed cases, was collected weeks before the variant was first reported by researchers in southern Africa.
Vaccines are finally available in many African countries, but some people there, as well as in South Asia, are wary of taking them.
The new agreement makes Aspen Pharmacare the first African company to market a Covid vaccine on the continent. But it stops short of allowing Aspen to make the ingredients in the vaccine.
The new agreement makes Aspen Pharmacare the first African company to market a Covid vaccine on the continent. But it stops short of allowing Aspen to make the ingredients in the vaccine.
“Here’s what it does: It gives us time,” President Biden said of the flight restrictions. He called the new variant a cause for concern, not panic.
Almost two years into the pandemic, finger-pointing, lack of coordination, sparse information and fear are once again influencing policy.
Officials said that while they need more data to be sure, existing treatments and precautions seem to be effective against the Omicron variant.
Officials said that while they need more data to be sure, existing treatments and precautions seem to be effective against the Omicron variant.
Dangerous mining conditions plague Congo, home to the world’s largest supply of cobalt, a key ingredient in electric cars. A leadership battle threatens reforms.
Should the Omicron variant cause severe illness, that will become apparent if there is a significant rise in hospitalizations over the next week or two, one expert said.
The country has one of Africa’s better vaccination rates: Just under one quarter of its population has been fully vaccinated.
With countries trying to close their doors to the new coronavirus variant, southern African officials note that the West’s hoarding of vaccines helped create their struggle in the first place.
The World Health Organization began naming the variants after Greek letters to avoid public confusion and stigma.
Starting Monday, travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi will be barred unless they are citizens or permanent residents.
Scientists do not yet know how dangerous the new Omicron variant is, but its many mutations set off alarms, lowering hopes of putting the pandemic in the past.
Hours after South African scientists announced the existence of a troublesome new variant, Britain banned travelers from southern Africa. The United States and other nations quickly followed suit.
At least 43 people have been killed in clashes in the area, the U.N. says, while the nation’s leaders are focused elsewhere, dealing with the fallout from a coup.
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS