NextGen Day

The recently identified Omicron strain of Covid-19 in South Africa has heightened concerns about the pandemic’s global trajectory, prompting several nations, notably the United States, to rush to impose travel restrictions on countries in southern Africa.

Due to the discovery of a novel coronavirus type on the continent, US President Joe Biden announced on Friday that his government will impose travel restrictions on eight African countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Except for this “precautionary” action, Biden advised Americans and others all around the world to get vaccinated.

On Saturday, Australia and Japan became the latest countries to ban flights to the region or impose obligatory quarantines and checks.

As health authorities scurry to sequence for the novel Omicron strain in immigrants from southern African countries, the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, as two of the country’s principal entry ports, have implemented 72-hour isolation measures for all international arrivals.

Two of 14 arrivals from southern African countries tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday morning, prompting NSW health officials to order immediate genetic analysis for the Omicron strain.

NSW health officials advised all recent arrivals from nine southern African nations to self-isolate for 14 days, while passengers on planes with positive cases will be quarantined in a special health facility.

Despite rising concerns, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet stated the state would “for the time being” stick to its reopening plans.

“This serves as a reminder that we still have a long way to go, and we believe we have always taken a fair and balanced approach,” Perrottet told Sky News in his hometown.

The World Health Organization (WHO) claimed preliminary research suggested that the variant, dubbed Omicron after the Greek letter, was more transmissible than the Delta variant, which is now the most common viral strain worldwide, and other virus strains.

In the United Kingdom, two cases have been discovered.

Two cases of the Omicron coronavirus strain have been discovered in the United Kingdom, according to British Health Secretary Sajid Javid.

The cases, which were discovered in Chelmsford and Nottingham, are “related,” he said, and the two individuals, together with their households, are now self-isolating until more tests and contact tracing are conducted.

Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, declared at a news conference that all visitors to the United Kingdom must undergo a PCR test by the end of the second day following their arrival and must self-isolate until the test results are negative.

Face-covering regulations would be strengthened in stores and public transportation, he said, adding that the measures are “temporary and precautionary” and will be reassessed in three weeks.

Following this, Downing Street issued the following tweet: “On public transportation and in stores, face coverings will be required. However, this does not include hospitality.”

“There are a lot of things we really can’t know at this point,” Johnson said, noting that Omicron appears to spread quickly.

“Extensive mutation…might, at least in part, decrease the efficiency of our vaccines,” he said.

The “targeted actions now” will “give time for our scientists” to figure out what they’re up against, as well as allowing for additional booster shots in arms and relieving burden on the NHS, he said.

Meanwhile, the new version has been found in Belgium, Israel, and Botswana.

“Although scientists were still sorting out the specific ramifications of the variant’s many alterations,” The Wall Street Journal said on Friday, “the discovery highlighted the persistent threat presented by a changing virus to the world’s emergence from the pandemic.”

To understand more about Omicron, US officials met with scientists and leaders in South Africa. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that Omicron had not been found in the United States, as US stock markets fell, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average having its worst day in a year.

The impression is chilling.

Omicron has been designated as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization, a classification given to variants like Delta that deserve extra investigation from public health professionals. According to preliminary research, Omicron may enhance the risk of reinfection when compared to other variations of concern.

On Nov. 9, South African researchers discovered the first Omicron case, which was then reported to the WHO on Wednesday. Because the bulk of reported cases are still confined in southern Africa, scientists are hopeful that they caught the mutation early.

“Scientists are still waiting for lab experiments to see how well coronavirus antibodies stand up against Omicron, whether they come from natural infection or vaccinations. They’re also keeping a close eye on how quickly the variety spreads around the world, particularly in nations where vaccination rates are greater “On Saturday, Business Insider reported on the situation.

Moderna, BioNTech-Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson have all stated that they are testing the effectiveness of their vaccines against Omicron.

In a final analysis of a clinical trial released on Friday, Merck said its antiviral pill lowered the risk of hospitalization and mortality among high-risk Covid-19 patients by 30%, down from a previous estimate of 50%.

“News of the Omicron variation, which has an exceptionally high number of mutations,” CNN reported on Friday, “would undoubtedly throw a monkey in the works for the Biden administration, as the president struggles with dwindling support ratings and a dismal view of the economy.” “To stay ahead of the new variation, the administration will have to work rapidly.”

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