As the Omicron BA.2 sub-variant gains worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for good surveillance and genome sequencing to track the virus. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical head on Covid-19, said, “Omicron is spreading around the world. This is the latest variant of concern and about 86% of the sequences available from the past four weeks are BA.2 sub-lineages. The rest are BA. are 1.”
He said, “Therefore, we are seeing an increase in the proportion of detection of BA.2. While we are seeing a lower number of sequences being reported on platforms such as GISAID, it is still not fully Importantly, we have robust surveillance and intelligent sequencing around the world.
Stating that there is BA.2 high transmission, he also pointed out that some countries are witnessing a spurt in cases. This was also seen in a recent WHO weekly report, which said the number of new coronavirus cases increased by 7% globally in the past week, largely driven by rising infections in the western Pacific.
Over 12 million new weekly cases
According to the United Nations Health Agency report, there were more than 12 million new weekly cases and fewer than 33,000 deaths, a 23% drop in the death rate.
WHO said, confirmed cases of the virus had been falling steadily around the world since January, but increased again last week, due to the more infectious Omicron variant and its sub-variant BA.2, Covid in many countries in Europe, North America Except for the suspension of the -19 protocol.
It also cautioned that with many countries abandoning extensive testing programs, many infections are likely to be missed and the number of new cases should be interpreted with caution.
Omicron+Delta together can cause havoc, WHO told how dangerous it will prove to be Omicron BA.2
In recent weeks, countries, including Britain, France, Italy and Germany, have eased many of their public health measures against Covid-19, even as the numbers continue to rise.
Meanwhile, China’s health authorities this week reported the first coronavirus deaths in more than a year, as the country grapples with its worst outbreak since the virus was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019.
,