WHO warns Asia-Pacific countries to prepare for Omicron surge

New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday asked healthcare services in Asia-Pacific region to brace themselves up, laying stress on vaccination populations in light of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 that is spreading globally.

Takeshi Kasai, WHO regional director for the western Pacific, said in a virtual hearing that it is clear that this pandemic is far from over.

"I know that people are worried about Omicron. I understand. My message to you today is that we can adapt the way we manage this virus to better cope with future surges and reduce their health, social and economic impact," he said.

"We can adapt, so that #COVID19 has less impact on our lives in 2022, and we can start to regain - and hopefully retain - a sense of normality," he added.

India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea have reported Omicron cases in varying numbers and new cases are being logged on an hourly basis.

People should not only rely on border measures. What is most important is to prepare for these variants with potential high transmissibility. So far the information available suggests we don't have to change our approach," he said during the virtual media briefing.

South Korea on Friday decided to tighten anti-virus measures from next week amid a surging number of Covid-19 cases and an emerging worry about the potentially more transmissible Omicron variant.

In India, after detection of the first two cases of Omicron infection in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Health department is now worried over 10 South African nationals, who have gone untraceable in Bengaluru.

A total of 10 persons suspected to be infected with Omicron Covid variant have been admitted to Delhi's Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital (LNJP).

The new super-mutant Omicron variant of Covid-19 can increase risk of reinfection by three times as compared to other variants of concern such as Beta and Delta, according to a preliminary study by South African researchers.

(Based on IANS feed)