New Omicron Variant Detected in More Countries

In a statement Monday, he pointed to low vaccination rates as the main problem and said, “The people of Africa cannot be blamed for the immorally low level of vaccinations available in Africa – and they should not be penalized for identifying and sharing crucial science and health information with the world.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his country is “deeply disappointed” by the travel bans. “These restrictions are completely unjustified and unfairly discriminate against our country and our southern African sister countries,” the South African leader said in a televised address Sunday.

“The prohibition of travel is not informed by science, nor will it be effective in preventing the spread of this variant. The only thing the prohibition on travel will do is to further damage the economies of the affected countries and undermine their ability to respond to and also to recover from the pandemic,” he said.

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The WHO has called for caution as countries have quickly moved to close their borders.
“It is not yet clear whether omicron is more transmissible ... compared to other variants, including delta,” the WHO said Sunday, November 28, in a statement. “The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of omicron or other factors. ... There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with omicron are different from those from other variants.”

Dr. Unben Pillay, a South African general practitioner in the heavily hit Gauteng province, told the Associated Press that the sharp increase in new Covid-19 cases attributed to the omicron variant is resulting in mostly mild symptoms. He said that most people are being treated at home and that those who are vaccinated are faring better than those who are not.

In the United States, top US epidemiologist Anthony Fauci told ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday, “Obviously, we’re on high alert.”

“It’s inevitable that, sooner or later, it’s going to spread widely,” he said.