Omicron could multiply to more destructive variants," says WHO
We are in a hazardous phase." WHO is concerned about the rapid spread of the omicron variant.
Although there are signs of milder disease, the likelihood of developing another mutant corona increases if it spreads quickly.
Europe registered more than five million new cases since the last week of 2021. Thus, WHO has warned Britain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the emergence of even more dangerous variants of the virus due to the worldwide spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The more omicrons proliferate and multiply, "the more likely they are to spawn a new variant," said WHO emergency expert Catherine Smallwood.
Besides, Smallwood said, "We're in a very dangerous phase,"
"We are seeing a very sharp rise in infection rates in Western Europe, the consequences of which are not yet entirely clear."
Although the risk of hospitalization for Omicron contamination, "individually considered", is likely lower than the previously prevailing Delta variant.
However, Omicron may pose a greater risk overall due to its widespread distribution.
The leading epidemiologist of WHO, Maria van Kerkhoff, once again recalled that against the background of the rapid spread of the Omicron,
states would not be able to defeat the pandemic with the help of boosters - additional vaccinations.
"Intense contact, limited use of proven measures and restricted vaccination coverage
these conditions will ensure the prosperity of any strain, any virus," - she told in an interview with the British media company BBC.
Even before the holidays, Omicron was identified in 128 countries worldwide.
There is no convincing evidence that the disease proceeds in a milder form when infected with a new strain than with the previous variants. So far, there is no.
This was announced at a briefing in Geneva, WHO epidemiologist Abdi Mahamoud.
At the same time, he added that in London, which was swept by a new wave of COVID-19, hospitalization rates were 20 per cent lower than during previous outbreaks.
"This means that if you are vaccinated, you are protected, but if you are at risk and also not vaccinated, omicron is dangerous for you," he added.
According to studies, unlike other strains, Omicron affects the upper respiratory tract, not the lungs.
"Without such protection, the virus multiplies freely, especially in crowded places and in poorly ventilated rooms," the WHO spokesman warned,
recalling that scientists have observed this situation with other variants of the coronavirus.