The first known confirmed infection of the B.1.1.529 variant virus came from a sample collected in South Africa on November 9, 2021. On November 24, South Africa reported to the WHO for the first time that the mutant strain was discovered. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces of South Africa. In recent weeks, the number of new crown infections has increased sharply, which is related to the detected B.1.1.529 variant.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical leader of the World Health Organization’s new crown response team, said at a press conference held on November 26 that this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which need attention.
Maria van Kellhoff: “Today we announced that B.1.1.529 has been designated as a variant of concern, named’Omi Keron’. Preliminary evidence shows that it is different from other variants of concern In contrast, this variant has an increased risk of reinfection. Currently, many studies are in progress. South Africa and other countries and regions are carrying out a lot of work to more accurately determine the characteristics of this variant, including its transmission capacity and severity of disease. Sexuality and whether it has any impact on the countermeasures we are currently taking, such as diagnosis, treatment, or the role of vaccines.”
At the same time, in addition to South Africa’s neighboring Botswana, Hong Kong, Israel and European countries have also successively discovered the “Omi Keron” virus. In order to strengthen preventive measures and strictly restrict the movement of people, many countries have taken extreme measures, announcing a flight ban on several countries in southern Africa and cutting off the “air corridor” connecting these countries.
On November 28, the World Health Organization once again released the latest scientific research on the new coronavirus variant “Omi Keron”. It pointed out: According to preliminary evidence, compared with other worrying variants, the risk of re-infection of “Omi Keron” may increase, but the widely used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test can still detect “Omi Keron”. The current vaccine is still effective in reducing severe disease and mortality.
The WHO also puts forward specific suggestions on how to reduce the spread of the virus to the public, such as avoiding poorly ventilated or crowded spaces, wearing suitable masks, and maintaining a physical distance of at least 1 meter, etc., and calls on people to be vaccinated in time.
Maria van Kerhoff: “There are many things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. We understand that people are worried about this. The good news is that we have monitoring systems all over the world to quickly detect these. Variant. Scientists are already sharing information and research progress with us so that we can take action. As individuals, what is really important is to reduce your chance of infection. These proven public health measures are especially important now.”
On November 29th, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus), specifically talked about the “Omi Keron” variant of the new coronavirus at a special session of the World Health Assembly. He said that the high mutation of the virus reminds us that we are still in a fragile and unstable state.
Tan Desai: “Although many people may think that the new coronavirus pandemic has passed, and the virus has not gone away from us. There is already evidence that the effectiveness of existing vaccines is gradually diminishing. Obviously, all countries will need it in the future. Make adjustments and improvements on the vaccine booster. The world needs a new agreement on epidemics, a global response plan. The WHO’s position remains: before the vaccination booster for healthy adults in low-risk countries , All medical personnel, the elderly and other high-risk groups must be able to vaccinate first.”
The World Health Organization reminds the public: the more the virus spreads, the greater the chance of change. As long as the virus continues to spread among people who have not been vaccinated, we will see more mutations. However, this does not mean that humans are helpless in the face of constantly mutating viruses.
Maria van Kellhoff: “We know what tools are effective. I know that vaccination can prevent serious diseases and deaths. We know that masks will help prevent further transmission. We are working to support countries to make targeted according to the situation. Responses, such as the demographic situation, the social contract relationship between the government and the people, the intensity of policy implementation, etc. These responses are not static, because the virus is constantly changing, and once it starts to spread, it does not mean that it will continue to spread at this intensity. Therefore, anti-epidemic measures and response plans also need to be continuously adjusted. Not only a national plan is needed, but also as many dynamic and flexible responses at the local level as possible.”
At the closing ceremony of the special session of the World Health Assembly on December 1, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus once again emphasized that the new crown virus will not disappear by itself, and ending the epidemic requires everyone to make the right choice.
Tan Desai: “I call on all member states to choose to share technology and knowledge, support the abandonment of intellectual property rights, and remove all obstacles to the expansion of vaccine production.
Now is the time for us to surpass the COVID-19 pandemic. In a few decades, our descendants can take over a healthier, safer, and fairer world from us. “
The above is a report by Du Jia, a special correspondent of “United Nations News”.