In its sixth report on the variant, the WHO indicates that the new strain has already been detected in 171 countries around the world.
The protection of vaccines against possible severe forms of COVID has dropped with the omicron variant of the coronavirus to 50%, although with booster doses that percentage increases to 80%, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated this Saturday.
In its sixth updated report on the omicron variant, the WHO indicates that the new strain has already been detected in 171 countries around the planet, and concludes that its ability to evade the immunization provided by vaccines or antibodies from recovered patients has contributed to its strong global transmission.
The risk in the pandemic due to the boom in omicron remains “very high”, reiterates the Geneva-based body, who concludes that the efficacy of vaccines against severe forms of the disease is mainly preserved, although not so much against infection.
However, it does not seem that the usual coronavirus detection systems, both PCR tests and antigen tests, are less effective with omicron compared to previous variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the report indicates.
It also concludes that omicron tends to affect the upper respiratory system more, compared to previous variants that attacked the lower tract, which could contribute to the prevalence of less severe cases.
But nevertheless, warns the WHO, the sharp increase in cases worldwide has led to an increase in hospitalizations and care in ICUs in many countries.
The organization stresses that in recent weeks the progress of infections has slowed slightly: they increased by 20% in the second week of this year, while in the first they had increased by 55%.
The WHO indicates that current treatments against severe cases of COVID-19 continue to be effective in omicron infections, although one type of these therapies, those that use monoclonal antibodies, could have decreased their effectiveness.
The report is published at a time of record rates of daily infections on the planet: on Thursday, January 20, four million new positives were touched in the world, the highest figure to date. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
