Existing Covid-19 vaccines are probably effective at preventing severe disease and hospitalisation from the newly identified Omicron variant, top infectious disease expert Professor Salim Abdool Karim said yesterday.
Speaking at a news conference, Prof Karim said it was too early to say whether Omicron led to more severe illness than previous variants, although it does appear to be more transmissible and more likely to infect people who have immunity from vaccination or prior infection, reports Reuters.
The discovery of the variant in southern Africa has caused a hysterical global reaction, with several countries banning travel from the region in an effort to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
On Saturday, passengers were left stranded at Cape Town International Airport as several countries rushed to isolate travellers through suspension, or cancellation of flights.
On Sunday, a South African doctor who was one of the first to suspect a new strain, said Omicron appeared so far to be producing mild symptoms.
During his address, President Cyril Ramaphosa kept the country on lockdown level 1, while encouraging the unvaccinated to get inoculated ahead of an expected fourth wave in December.
Ramaphosa also expressed his disappointment at the travel ban imposed on South Africa.
“These restrictions are completely unjustified and unfairly discriminate against our country and our southern African sister countries.
“The prohibition of travel is not informed by science nor will it be effective in preventing the spread of this variant,” he said.
On Sunday, the WHO’s Regional Office for Africa called for borders to remain open and for countries to follow science and International Health Regulations.
It said the Omicron variant has been detected in several regions of the world.