The chief scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), Soumya Swaminathan, reported that the delta variant of the coronavirus is still the main cause of global cases of the disease - in more than 99% of cases - despite increased concern about the new Covid variant, which has been named Omicron. Swaminathan added that it is worth continuing to fight the spread of the delta variant of the virus while scientists are trying to gather additional information about the Omicron strain.
According to health experts, the Omicron strain is highly transmissible due to an unusual combination of mutations and a profile distinguishable from previous strains.
Swaminathan stated that in order to get answers to some key questions related to the Omicron strain, scientists will need time to conduct experiments and collect data.
Recent data indicate that the Omicron strain has already been detected in the UK, Israel, Belgium, Germany, Italy and a number of other countries. Against the background of the spread of the Omicron strain, many countries have announced stricter restrictions on travel from southern Africa. Meanwhile, key manufacturers of Covid vaccines have reported conducting tests and researching a new strain.
Swaminathana said that until there is no other information, it should be assumed that current vaccines will provide some degree of protection against the Omicron strain.