The Health Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7, most developed economies) meet this Monday, at the call of the British presidency, to analyze strategies for the omicron variant of the coronavirus, has indicated the British ministry of the branch.
The meeting was scheduled for 12.30 GMT, after which a statement may be issued in the afternoon, a spokesperson for that ministry told Efe.
The G7 is made up of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, as well as the European Union as a guest.
As host, the meeting will be chaired by the British Minister of Health, Sajid Javid, who later, at 15.30 GMT, will appear before Parliament to explain the restrictions announced on Saturday to stop the spread of the Omicron in his country.
These measures, which MPs will vote on later, include wearing masks in some closed places starting Tuesday, a PCR test for all travelers upon arrival in the UK and isolating themselves until they obtain a negative result, and accelerating the dose. booster vaccine.
On this last point, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, which advises the Government, is expected to give more details today.
The Omicron variant, which has led many countries to suspend flights to southern Africa, worries the World Health Organization (WHO) for the thirty mutations it presents and its apparent greater transmissibility and risk of reinfection, although data are still lacking to determine its impact.
The UK has so far detected nine infections, three in England and six in Scotland, although the virus is believed to be more widespread.
The British Government has banned flights from a total of ten African countries, except for British nationals or residents, who must be confined here in a designated hotel, paying the costs.
These are South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia.
THE WHO ANNOUNCEMENT
The UN health agency said the coronavirus strain first discovered in southern Africa was a “Highly divergent variant with a high number of mutations (…) some of which are concerning and may be associated with a potential for immune escape and increased transmissibility “.
“The probability of a further potential spread of Ómicron globally is high”the WHO warned in a technical note.
Till the date, no deaths related to the Omicron variant have been reportedadded.
The unknowns about this variant remain numerousHowever, the organization warns: its contagiousness, and if it is inherent to the mutations found or to the fact that the variant eludes the immune response; the level of protection of existing covid vaccines, and the severity of the disease, that is, whether the variant causes more severe symptoms.
WHO said countries should improve your vigilance to try to get a clear overview of where and how fast it is spreading.
Too urged accelerated vaccination against Covid, especially among vulnerable populations who have not yet received any vaccines.
(with information from EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com