The epidemiologist and technical officer for combating Covid-19 at the World Health Organization, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, revealed that the Omicron mutant continues to evolve, and that there are more than 500 subspecies of Omicron that spread their infection and are being tracked by researchers and scientists from all over the world.
In episode No. 88 of the televised interviews, “Science in Five”, hosted by Vismita Gupta Smith, and broadcast by the global organization on its official platforms, Dr. Kirkov added that all Omicron sub-strains are more transmissible and contagious than the next, explaining that this is what these viruses do, Where you need to hit people.
severe cases and deaths
Dr. Kirkov indicated that with regard to the levels of risk and severity of pathological conditions, it is similar in severity to all previous sub-strains of the SARS-Cove-2 virus, except that the Omicron strains, which are on average less severe than the Delta variant, cause the full spectrum of the disease, including infection. without symptoms or recurrence of infection, as well as severe disease and death, stressing that it is really important that every effort is made to prevent these deaths from occurring.
Dr. Kirkhove also explained that research is currently being conducted on the impact of medical interventions, diagnoses, treatments and vaccines, adding that there is a very good capacity in terms of being able to detect the Omicron mutant around the world, and vaccines work very well in preventing severe disease and death.
But it is critical to maintain worldwide surveillance so that known subspecies can be tracked which helps detect any new variants of concern that may arise because there is still a risk of more variants of concern emerging.
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Critical stage and basic procedures
Dr. Kerkhove noted that the current stage is critical because the world is entering the fourth year of the pandemic and that there is widespread boredom with talking about and dealing with Covid-19, expressing her belief that the most important measure is remembering that there is a lot we can do to reduce the spread, not stop the spread. Infection is saving lives right now.
It comes down to the basics, Dr. Kirkhove explained, as there are more dangerous locations than others, as indoor and covered spaces are more dangerous than open outdoor spaces; Also, crowded places are more dangerous than less crowded places, for example.
She added that what people around the world need is to use existing tools while living their lives, as wearing protective masks when a person is in a closed or covered place, or when he is near others is logical, and it is currently available because protective masks are widely available. She also stressed that protective masks and good ventilation remain essential elements for preventing infection with respiratory diseases and will help improve and reduce the transmission of infection worldwide.
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Receiving the vaccination and ending the emergency
And the UN official added, saying that vaccination is one of the important things that you can do as an individual. When thinking about vaccination, we should also take into account that 30% of the world’s population has not yet received a single dose, and that vaccination targets of 70% have not been met in every country. Currently, between 8 and 10,000 people die each week from COVID-19, and these risks and repercussions are avoidable.
“COVID-19 is here to stay. What we hope is that in 2023 we can end the state of emergency everywhere,” said Dr. Kerkhov, noting that the world is now in a much better position to do so, as there is so much more knowledge and know-how about SARS-CoV-2 virus, its variants and mutated strains. And that “although we do not know everything and we are still seeking to learn more about this matter, we have many tools that can reduce the spread of the disease and can save lives now.”
Dr. Kirkov reiterated that receiving full doses of vaccination can prevent severe disease and protect against death, explaining that there are encounters with other infectious risks such as influenza, RSV virus and other common pathogens, so it is of great importance to coexist with Covid responsibly and to be dealt with. in the context of everything else.