The World Health Organisation (WHO) is
working in tandem with scientists from across the world to gain a better
understanding of the omicron variant of the coronavirus after health experts in
South Africa, where the variant was first detected, said it appeared to cause
only mild symptoms.

Since the omicron was detected in the South
African city of Pretoria, there is little information available to ascertain
that the new variant is more infectious than other variants.

Also Read: Japan bans entry of foreign visitors amid Omicron spread

Some of the earliest cases, found among
college students in South Africa, suggested younger people who contacted
omicron are more likely to experience less severe illness from COVID-19. The
United Nations’ health wing, WHO said understanding the level of severity of
the new strain “will take days to several weeks”, reported Bloomberg.

At this moment, countries across the world
have imposed travel bans on South Africa and five other African countries,
where omicron was detected, amid fear that the new variant could breach
immunity built after vaccination.

Investors wait for more clarity

While news of the new variant disrupted
global stock markets on Friday, trading in Asia on Monday indicated investors
were waiting for more clarity, as scientists from the United States to Asia
work to understand more about omicron’s nature, and how lethal it is compared
with other strains.

On Sunday, 13 omicron cases were identified
in the Netherlands and one in the United Kingdom which suggested the new
variant is spreading quickly in Europe.

Also Read: Omicron on the horizon: Can India handle a third COVID wave?

Anthony Fauci, director of the US National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it will “inevitably”
arrive in the US, urging people to get vaccines and boosters as prevention.

In the wake of omicron’s emergence,
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said vaccination drives in
poorer countries must be improved, hinting at the slow vaccination drive in
Africa. “We won’t be protected until we are all vaccinated,” Lagarde told
Italy’s Rai 3 in a live television interview. “If some companies can deliver
packages everywhere, I’m sure we can do that with vaccines too.”