{"id":49173,"date":"2021-11-29T20:23:37","date_gmt":"2021-11-29T14:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kashmir.today\/?p=49173"},"modified":"2021-11-29T20:23:37","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T14:53:37","slug":"new-omicron-coronavirus-variant-dangerous-could-have-severe-consequences-who","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kashmir.watch\/?p=49173","title":{"rendered":"New “Omicron” Coronavirus Variant Dangerous, could have \u2018Severe Consequences\u2019: WHO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WHO warns Omicron variant poses \u2018very high\u2019 global risk could have \u2018severe consequences\u2019 in some places.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The heavily-mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have \u201csevere consequences\u201d in some places, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Omicron-linked deaths had yet been reported, though further research is needed to assess its potential to escape protection against immunity induced by vaccines and previous infections, it added on Monday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In anticipation of increased case numbers as the variant, first reported last week, spreads, the UN health agency urged its 194 member states to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups and ensure plans were in place to maintain health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOmicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic,\u201d the WHO said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe overall global risk related to the new variant \u2026 is assessed as very high.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European countries clamp down on Omicron variant
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, sounded the alarm at the start of an assembly of health ministers on Monday that is expected to launch negotiations on an international agreement on preventing future pandemics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe emergence of the highly mutated Omicron variant underlines just how perilous and precarious our situation is,\u201d Tedros said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOmicron demonstrates just why the world needs a new accord on pandemics: Our current system disincentivises countries from alerting others to threats that will inevitably land on their shores.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new global deal, expected by May 2024, would cover issues such as sharing of data and genome sequences of emerging viruses, and of any potential vaccines derived from research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European Union member countries and others had sought language calling for work towards a treaty, but the United States and some other countries countered that the substance of any accord should be worked out first before any such document is given a name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A \u201ctreaty\u201d would suggest a legally binding agreement that could require ratification \u2013 and would likely incur domestic political haggling in some countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday, the United Kingdom\u2019s ambassador in Geneva, Simon Manley, tweeted a copy of the draft text that was agreed by consensus \u2013 as required under WHO rules on such issues \u2013 and praised Chile and Australia for their work as co-chairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe #Omicron variant shows yet again why we need a common understanding of how we prepare for and respond to pandemics, so we\u2019re all playing by the same rules,\u201d he wrote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We\u2019ve just reached consensus on this text: an important step towards a new global agreement on pandemic prevention, preparation & response. My thanks to our Chilean \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddf1 and Australian \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa co-chairs for their tireless efforts

\ud83d\udc49 https:\/\/t.co\/jvIYl3mV3y<\/a>#WHASpecial<\/a> #PandemicTreaty<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/X6jbS9F9zO<\/a><\/p>— Simon Manley (@SimonManleyFCDO) November 28, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>