Omicron Could Be Milder Than Delta, Says WHO Chief

New Delhi: The World Health Oraganization has said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus develops milder form of disease than Delta variant. Speaking with the reporters, WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “It is still too early to draw any conclusions. Emerging Data from South Africa suggests that there is increased risk of reinfection with Omicron but more data is needed to draw firmer conclusion.”

Also Read: India’s Omicron Patient #2 – A Bengaluru Doctor Shares His Experience

He also said that the variant has now spread to 57 countries, and it appears to be more transmissible than previous virus strains. Dr Tedros added, “We can expect this number to grow continuously.”

The World Health Organization also warned that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus may change the course of the pandemic. It called on countries to vaccinate as fast as possible and keep measures in place to protect people from infection. Dr Tedros said,

We can prevent Omicron becoming a global crisis. This virus is changing, but our collective resolve must not. Certain features of Omicron, including its global spread and large number of mutations, suggest it could have a major impact on the course of the pandemic.

Also Read: Explained: How Quickly Does Omicron Spread & What Is The Severity Of The Disease?

In India, where currently 23 cases have been reported, the government sources have said that currently there is no evidence that Omicron causes more hospitalisations and death or is more lethal than Delta, which drove the deadly second wave of the Covid pandemic earlier this year.

Also Read: COVID-19: How Severe Is The Threat Of Omicron Among Children?

The sources asserted, “There is nothing to show so far that Omicron is more dangerous than Delta.”

The government also said that for now, there would be no changes in the government’s policy for testing and treatment. In the next 10 days, the government is likely to come up with a clearer assessment of Omicron, its symptoms and its effect, said officials.

Also Read: Explained: What Are The Symptoms Of Omicron, A Variant Of Concern

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity,  that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.