COVID-19: How worrying is the Omicron variant?

The World Health Organization has declared the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus to be of concern, sparking reactions and discussions globally. Dr. Thierno Balde, the Manager for Covid-19 response at the World Health Organisation, joined CNBC Africa for an interview to shed light on the latest developments. The Omicron variant, first reported from South Africa, has quickly spread to other countries, including Italy, France, Belgium, Israel, and Hong Kong. This rapid transmission has raised questions about the effectiveness of current preventive measures and the need for a coordinated global response. Dr. Balde emphasized that mutations are a natural process for viruses, and the detection of new variants is a result of enhanced global surveillance efforts. He highlighted previous variants like Alpha, Beta, and Delta, and stressed the importance of sharing information openly and transparently to protect the global community against such threats. Despite the concerns, Dr. Balde cautioned against panic, stating that the impact of the Omicron mutations on severity, transmissibility, and vaccine efficacy is still being studied. He underscored the need for continued preventive measures such as wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and avoiding crowded places to limit the transmission of the virus and reduce the risk of future mutations. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Dr. Balde expressed hope that collective efforts and evidence-based interventions would help manage the situation and pave the way for a better future.