University of natal, University in Berea, Durban, South Africa

New Delhi, Nov 27 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the new Covid variant detected in southern Africa this week as the 'Variant of Concern' following the Technical Advisory Group meeting on Friday."Based on the evidence presented indicative of a detrimental change in Covid-19 epidemiology, the TAG-VE has advised WHO that this variant should be designated as a Variant of Concern and the WHO has designated B.1.1.529 as a VOC, named Omicron", said the global health body in a statement.The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from South Africa on November 24, 2021. The epidemiological situation in South Africa has been characterized by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on November 9, 2021.The WHO has asked the countries to enhance surveillance and sequencing efforts to better understand circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and submit complete genome sequences and associated metadata to a publicly available database. The WHO has reminded to take measures to reduce their risk of Covid-19, including proven public health and social measures such as wearing well-fitting masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, improving ventilation of indoor spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and getting vaccinated.The WHO said that this variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are of concern.Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of re-infection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. Current SARS-CoV-2 PCR diagnostics continue to detect this variant. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage, said the WHO.The Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus. The TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529.Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

University Of NatalFOLLOW

University of natal, Latest News

Johannesburg, Nov 27 South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla has described the travel bans on South Africa and ... ...

Highlighting the need for monitoring all international arrivals in the view of the new Covid variant Omicron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the emergi ...

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday instructed the chief secretary, DGP and health secretary to ensure compliance of COVID appropriate behaviour in public places, informed the Chief Minister Office. ...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a meeting with top officials on Covid-19 and said that we need to be proactive in light of the new variant while laying emphasis on the precautions to contain the virus. ...

New Delhi, Nov 27 The currently available vaccines against Covid-19 appear to be effective against the newly detected ... ...

A new variant of the Corona found in Africa has caused a stir around the world. Many countries around ... ...

The variant, first known as B.1.1.529 and now named omicron, has been detected in small numbers in South Africa. ... ...

New Delhi, Nov 27 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified the new Covid variant detected in southern ... ...