At the same time, scientists need more time to reach a final conclusion
South African scientists have not identified any signs that the new Omicron strain of COVID-19 could cause a more serious course of the disease.
The Minister of Health of South Africa made a statement. African Republic Joe Fahla, writes The Guardian.
It is noted that although the number of hospitalizations is currently growing in more than half of the country's nine provinces, the death rate remains relatively stable.
“Preliminary the data do suggest that while hospitalization rates are increasing, it appears that this is solely due to the number, and not the consequence no seriousness of the Omicron option itself, – explained the head of the South African Ministry of Health.
He noted that it takes more time to make a final conclusion about the new COVID strain.
Earlier, WHO reported that a new variant of COVID-19 “Omicron” as of December 7 was recorded in 57 countries of the world . At the same time, according to the Ministry of Health, as of December 9, not a single case of this strain was recorded in Ukraine.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus believes that “some properties of Omicron, including global the spread and the huge number of mutations indicate that it may seriously affect the course of the pandemic. “
November 26 World Health Organization qualified a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus received the name “Omicron” as a matter of concern. This variant was first discovered on November 9 in southern Africa.
