Beijing, December 14 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization said on December 12 that the risk of the spread of the mutated new coronavirus Amickron strain around the world is "very high." There is evidence that this new strain will reduce the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, but the available clinical data are insufficient to determine the extent of its pathogenesis.
South Africa reported the detection of the new strain to WHO on 24 November, which subsequently listed it as a variant of "needing attention" and named it Omiljung. As of the 9th of this month, the Aumechjong strain has "appeared" in more than 60 countries and regions.
People pass by a sign in front of the National Gallery asking visitors to wear masks in London, England, on Dec. 12. (Photo by Xinhua news agency reporter Li Ying)
In a briefing issued by WHO on the 12th, it wrote: "Considering multiple factors, the risk of global transmission of the new variant Ofmicron strain is still very high. This statement is consistent with the conclusions of the first WHO assessment of the strain on 29 November.
The brief reads that prima facie evidence suggests that the Olmikron strain reduces the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and is more contagious.
WHO notes that in countries and regions where the Omiljung strain has been detected, the strain has spread more rapidly in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Among them, Omi kerong has become the "mainstream" strain in South Africa, and the main strain currently spreading in the UK is the Delta variant.
South African President Ramaphosa speaks at a memorial service for former President De Klerk on December 12 in Cape Town, South Africa. The South African Presidential Office issued a statement on the evening of the 12th, saying that South African President Ramaphosa tested positive for the new crown virus on the same day and was receiving treatment and self-isolation. (Photo by Xinhua news agency reporter Lu Tiantian)
The latest data show that about 70% of the newly confirmed cases in South Africa are infected with the Olmikharon strain. At this stage, the covid-19 replication rate in this African country is 2.5, that is, each infected person is likely to infect 2.5 people, which is the largest value since the outbreak of the epidemic.
The United Kingdom reported 1239 new cases of confirmed infection with the Aomi kerong strain on the 12th. The cumulative number of confirmed cases of infection with this variant strain in the UK has risen from 1898 on the 11th to 3137.
According to WHO, from the available data, the Omikejon strain may spread faster than the Delta strain in areas where community transmission occurs.
At a COVID-19 vaccination centre in Toronto, Canada, on December 12, vaccinators prepare to vaccinate a child. (Xinhua News Agency, photo by Zou Zheng)
Although preliminary studies in South Africa have shown that the symptoms caused by the Aumequeron strain are "mild" than those of the Omilta strain, and the vast majority of cases of Infection with Omikejong reported in the European region are mild or asymptomatic, WHO believes that these data are not sufficient to determine the extent to which the new strain is pathogenic.
"Even if the Omiljung strain is less pathogenic than the Delta strain, the number of hospitalizations is expected to increase due to the strong spread of the virus," the brief reads. More hospitalizations will put pressure on the healthcare system, leading to more deaths. ”
The WHO says that due to the time lag between infection with the new coronavirus and the onset of symptoms, people are expected to receive more information about the Omiljung strain in the coming weeks. (Zhang Jing)