World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday urged countries not to panic but to prepare for the likely spread of COVID-19 Omicron variant as scientists continue to study it. Speaking in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stressed that data suggesting that Omicron was highly transmissible was only preliminary. He also repeated WHO advice against blanket travel bans, except for countries whose health systems were unable to withstand a surge in infections. “It is much more preferred to prepare your country, your health system to possibly incoming cases because we can be pretty sure that this Omicron variant will spread around,” he said. “The detection and timely reporting of the new variant by Botswana and South Africa has bought the world time,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

Source: The Guardian December 04, 2021 10:04 UTC