WHO designates new Covid-19 variant 'Omicron' as 'variant of concern'
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday named the new Covid-19 variant B.1.1.529, which has been detected in South Africa, as 'Omicron'. This came after the WHO held a meeting to discuss the newly-identified Covid-19 variant.
Also Read | Covid-19: No booster dose required in India as of now, says AIIMS Director
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="770"]
Source: Social Media[/caption]
"The recently discovered variant of coronavirus B.1.1.529 is of concern. It has more mutations than science knows about other alarming variants. The WHO has assessed this new variant as worrisome," the statement said.
Also Read | Absolutely unfair’: Kangana Ranaut on withdrawal of farm laws
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Source: Social Media[/caption]
"Existing coronavirus vaccines may be less effective against the new Covid-19 variant, the statement added.
The FOPH also informed that the new variant is more transmissible than the "delta" strain, which previously became globally dominant.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1600"]
Source: Social Media[/caption]
This variant has been labelled as B.1.1.529 by scientists.
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said after the meeting that early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study. -PTC News
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said after the meeting that early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study.
-PTC News
