In total, the ECDC has already identified 2,127 cases of omicron in countries of the European Union or the European Economic Area. 73 cases have been detected in Belgium so far.
Par AFP
ANo variant of the virus that gives covid-19 has so far spread as quickly as omicron, said Tuesday the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that all countries are now affected.
“77 countries have now reported cases of omicron, but the reality is that omicron is likely to be found in most countries even though it has not yet been detected. Omicron is spreading at a rate that we have never seen with any other variant, ”WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference.
“We are concerned that people consider omicron to be benign. Even if omicron causes less serious illness, the number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems, ”he added.
The WHO chief also warned the international community that vaccines alone will not enable any country to emerge from this crisis, and called for using all of the anti-covid tools that exist, such as masks, l regular ventilation of interiors and respect for barrier gestures.
“Do it all. Do it consistently. Do it right, ”he said.
Dr Tedros also noted that the emergence of omicron has prompted some countries to offer booster doses for their entire adult population, “although we lack evidence regarding the effectiveness of boosters against it. variant ”.
But, the WHO fears that these programs may contribute to the accumulation of Covid vaccines by rich countries, as has been the case so far, undermining vaccination in poor countries.
“I will be very clear: the WHO is not against booster doses. We are against vaccine inequity, ”said Dr Tedros.
– .
