WHO calls for action as Omicron coronavirus variant spreads to 57 countries
- Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was dismissive of reports suggesting the strain led to a milder course of Covid-19, saying it was too early to say
- ‘Act now,’ he warned, saying it would be too late if countries waited until their hospitals started to fill up
The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in at least 57 countries, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, calling on governments to take action sooner rather than later.
In South Africa, the number of Omicron cases is increasing quickly. “However, Omicron was detected when transmission of Delta was very low, so it had little competition,” Tedros said on Wednesday.
He was dismissive of initial reports suggesting the Omicron strain led to a milder course of Covid-19 in South Africa, saying it is too early to say.
Tedros called on governments to take preventive measures seriously and implement them.
“If countries wait until their hospitals start to fill up, it’s too late,” he said. “Don’t wait. Act now.”