Omicron Variant: Should I panic?
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Omicron Variant is the latest variant to appear, presumably from South Africa. Other African nations also detected the omicron variant. Unfortunately, due to the inequities of vaccination rates among wealthy and third-world countries, it is not a surprise to scientists that a new variant would emerge. It was only a matter of time. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, repeatedly echoed his greatest fear to the world when he said that the world would only beat Covid by vaccinating the entire world populace. The rich nations cannot isolate themselves by vaccinating everyone within their borders. The Pandemic is a world problem, and everyone needs to be vaccinated, including the impoverished nations of the world. The omicron variant was reported to WHO on November 24th, 2021. South African Covid task force confirmed the appearance of the new variant on a specimen collected from a patient on November 9th. South Africa confirmed 22 cases of the omicron variant on Thursday, November 25th. The omicron variant has been confirmed in 131 patients; 1057 individuals are suspected infected with the omicron variant in 13 countries. These numbers will inevitably explode. Epidemiologists are theorizing that the omicron variant may have evolved in late September or early October 2021. Let us be clear on one thing. The omicron, in all likelihood, may have evolved from South Africa. But it is fair to say that South Africa may have been quick to detect the new variant. Many countries do a poor job of analyzing for new variants. Omicron could have easily originated elsewhere. Only time and many weeks of research and analysis will determine the true country of origin.
The omicron was initially reported to be in the following African nations Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi. However, the Omicron variant spread outside Africa. One case appeared in Israel on Friday, November 26th.
A 36-year-old individual returned from South Africa on November 11th and later contracted Covid in Hong Kong. The 36-year-old used a flap valve mask that allows viral particles to escape with each exhalation. This resulted in a neighboring hotel guest quarantining next door to also get infected. Hong Kong later confirmed 3 cases in total with the omicron variant. Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the UK also reported the…
