France confirmed 1st case of Covid-19 Omicron variant
On Thursday, France confirmed 1st case of the Covid-19 Omicron variant on the mainland, a man in his fifties who had newly returned from Nigeria.
According to the country’s top scientific adviser. The Omicron variant of coronavirus could become the dominant variant of Covid-19 in France by the end of January. The new variant, which is more dangerous than the Delta strain, has already been reported in France.
According to Reuters, “We should see a gradual rise of the Omicron variant, which will take over from Delta variant, possibly by the end of January. French government adviser Jean-Francois Delfraissy told BFM television.
“Christmas is not in jeopardy if the population and decision-makers are all very cautious,” he said. Emphasizing the importance of physical separation and a booster shot of vaccines.
In November, Omicron was discover in South Africa and has since spread to at least a dozen other countries. While much about the new variant is unknown. South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said early epidemiological data suggested Omicron could evade some immunity. However, existing vaccines should still protect against severe disease and death.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove, data on Omicron’s contagiousness should be available within days. Meanwhile, France has been dealing with the fifth wave of Covid-19 since the pandemic began last year.
Three hospitals in northeast France have implemented emergency protocols because Covid patients are rapidly filling beds. In addition, health Minister Olivier Veran has warned that average daily cases are likely to exceed the peaks of last spring’s third wave, possibly as soon as this week.
