Connect with us

Health

WHO says PCR tests detect Omicron, new COVID-19 variant has higher reinfection risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday that standard PCR tests for COVID-19 can detect infection with Omicron, and that the new variant has an increased risk of reinfection, according to preliminary evidence.

“The widely-used PCR tests continue to detect infection, including infection with Omicron, as we have seen with other variants. Studies are ongoing to determine whether there is any impact on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests,” WHO said in an statement.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The organization had declared on Friday that Omicron, which was detected earlier this month in South Africa, was a variant of concern.

WHO said preliminary evidence suggests that Omicron has an increased risk of reinfection, meaning that people who have previously had COVID-19 could become reinfected with Omicron more easily, when compared to other variants.

It is not yet clear where Omicron spreads more easily from one person to the next, and studies are underway to determine its transmissibility compared to other variants, including the globally dominant Delta.

It is also not clear whether Omicron causes more severe disease when compared to infections with other variants, and there is no current information that suggest that the symptoms caused by the new variant are different from any other variant.

The health organization said that it is working to understand the potential impact of Omicron on the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments.

“Understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks,” WHO said.

Read more:

First image of Omicron shows many more mutations than Delta variant

COVID-19 variant Omicron brings back travel curbs worldwide: All you need to know

Omicron: New COVID-19 variant spreads to more countries

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Health

Sudan: WHO supports battle against cholera in the east

The World Health Organization (WHO) is scaling up support in Sudan, where authorities have declared a cholera outbreak in Gedaref state amid the ongoing brutal conflict between opposing militaries.

Continue Reading

Health

Ban smoking and vaping in schools worldwide urges WHO

Young people continue to be “relentlessly” targeted with tobacco and nicotine products, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday, in a call to ban smoking and vaping “whether sitting in class, playing games outside or waiting at the school bus stop”.

Continue Reading

Health

New global action pledge to end TB by 2030

Applause rang out in one of the main conference rooms at UN headquarters on Friday as world leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders approved a declaration to advance efforts to end tuberculosis (TB) by 2030.

Continue Reading

Trending