Sun 28 November 2021:
As more cases of the coronavirus’s Omicron strain have been reported around the world, South Africa appears to be taking a bashing for disclosing its detection of the variant.
The United Kingdom, Belgium, Israel, Germany, and the Netherlands are among the most recent countries to report cases of the new strain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Omicron a “variant of concern” (VOC). In its statement released Friday, the WHO said, “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, as compared to other VOCs.”
SA Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the WHO was informed of the findings in the interest of transparency, adding that some reactions to the discovery, including travel bans, were unwarranted.
Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela believes South Africa scientists must be applauded.
“Excellent science should be applauded and not punished. The global community needs collaboration and partnerships in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Israel Closes Borders To All Foreigners
Israel has announced that it will prohibit all foreigners from entering the country, making it the first government to do so in reaction to a new and potentially more contagious coronavirus type.
The prohibition, which is subject to government approval, will last 14 days, according to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Officials expect to learn more about how effective COVID-19 vaccines are against Omicron during that time frame. Omicron was initially discovered in South Africa and is considered a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization.
The ban will come into effect at midnight on Sunday. A travel ban on foreigners coming from most African states was imposed on Friday.
Israel has recorded 1.3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 8,000 fatalities since the pandemic began.
Saudi Arabia halts flights from additional African nations
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has halted flights to and from Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Mauritius and the Comoros Islands owing to concerns related to the spread of the Omicron strain, state news agency SPA reported on Twitter.
Saudi Arabia on Friday suspended flights to and from South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Two cases of Omicron found in Australia
Back to Australia, and health authorities in New South Wales have confirmed that the two overseas travellers that tested positive overnight have been infected with the new Omicron variant.
Both passengers arrived from southern Africa on Saturday evening, and underwent testing last night.
Both cases are asymptomatic and in isolation at special health accommodation, and both are fully vaccinated.
Financial markets face turbulent week
World stock markets plunged on Friday as news emerged of the Omicron variant – and futures trading suggests more steep falls when trading resumes on Monday.
Dow Jones closed down >900 points in biggest drop since Oct 2020 as new COVID variant sparks market plunge. It’s the worst Black Friday on record for the Dow, acc to Dow Jones Market Data. WHO says new Coronavirus strain detected in Southern Africa is variant of concern. pic.twitter.com/CsxdzsfK9r
— Holger Zschaepitz (@Schuldensuehner) November 26, 2021
Czech Republic confirms Omicron case
A hospital in the northern Czech city of Liberec has confirmed a case of the Omicron strain in a female patient, a spokesman told Czech Television on Saturday.
Czech prime minister Andrej Babis said earlier Saturday that the woman had been in Namibia and flew back to the Czech Republic via South Africa and Dubai. Babis said the woman was vaccinated and had mild symptoms of the disease.
US praises South African response
The US has praised South Africa for quickly identifying the Omicron strain and sharing the information with the world, AFP reports.
In what has been viewed as a swipe at China’s handling of the original outbreak of Covid in 2019, secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with South Africa’s international relations and cooperation minister, Naledi Pandor, and discussed cooperation on vaccinating people in Africa.
“Secretary Blinken specifically praised South Africa’s scientists for the quick identification of the Omicron variant and South Africa’s government for its transparency in sharing this information, which should serve as a model for the world,” a statement from the State Department said.
International travellers to England must self-isolate
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Saturday new restrictions for international travelers coming to England. They come after the United Kingdom identified two cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
International travelers must take a day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they get a negative result, ABC News reported. Face masks will also be required on public transportation and in stores.
Johnson said the UK government planned to take “targeted and proportionate” measures against the variant ahead of a “challenging winter,” iNews reported.
Regardless of a person’s vaccination status, any individual who is suspected of being exposed to the Omicron variant must self-isolate for 10 days, the outlet added.
The administrations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are expected to enact similar travel restrictions, according to iNews.
Fauci speaks on possibility of omicron COVID-19 variant already in US
Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, said Covid-19’s omicron variant may well already have arrived in the US.
“I would not be surprised if it is, Fauci said on NBC’s “Weekend Today on Saturday. “We have not detected yet, but when a virus shows “this degree of transmissibility it “almost invariably ultimately is going to go essentially all over, he said.
Questions about the omicron variant include whether it causes disease that’s more serious than infections with the earlier delta variant, he said. While it’s “conceivable that the latest variant may diminish vaccine protection against Covid-19, existing vaccination may be able to contain it, Fauci said.
“It seems to have spread rather rapidly in South Africa, Fauci said. “Its ability to infect people who have recovered from infection and even people who have been vaccinated makes us say this is something you have to pay really close attention to and be prepared for something that’s serious.
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