November 27, 2021
2 mins read

OMICRON VARIANT: Countries advised to step up surveillance

The Technical Advisory Group has advised WHO that Omicron variant should be designated as a Variant of Concern, reports Asian Lite News

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the new Covid variant detected in southern Africa this week as the ‘Variant of Concern’ following the Technical Advisory Group meeting on Friday.

“Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in Covid-19 epidemiology, the TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a Variant of Concern and the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron”, said the global health body in a statement.

Omicron

The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on November 24, 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on November 9, 2021.

The WHO has asked the countries to enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database. The WHO has reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of Covid-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.

The WHO said that this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are of concern.

Global Covid caseload tops 259.9 mn

Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of re-infection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage, said the WHO.

The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus. The TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529.

ALSO READ – Omicron variant: UAE suspends travellers from 7 countries

Previous Story

Turkey’s role in terror finance needs close watch

Next Story

Kashmir Ready to Join Indian Railways Canvas

Latest from -Top News

‘India-US Trade Deal Expected Soon’

A trade deal between India and the United States is expected soon, as talks progress towards a bilateral agreement aiming to boost commerce to $500 billion by 2030 A trade deal between

Trump Bans Travel from 12 Nations

The 12 countries that were banned include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation

Jaishankar Flags Terror Threats at Central Asia Talks

Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, EAM Jaishankar acknowledged the need to combat terrorism External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan on Thursday and

Pakistan’s Drug Crisis Deepens

Described as a “hidden epidemic,” the crisis highlights deep-rooted social, economic, and cultural challenges….reports Asian Lite News According to a recent report, Pakistan is in the grip of a growing drug addiction
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Expert alarms presence of new Omicron sub-variant in India

The sub-variant is worth “keeping a close eye” on, Thomas

WHO calls for ‘hard decisions’ to get back normal

He also asked the governments to exercise maximum caution in