The government of the United Kingdom has called an emergency meeting for this Monday (28/11) at which the health ministers of the countries that make up the G7, a grouping of seven of the world’s most developed economies, will debate the Omicron version of the new. coronavirus.
“Under the British presidency, an urgent meeting of G7 health ministers was convened this Monday, 29 November to address the development of Micron”, guarantees a statement issued by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Health and Social Care . Sajid Javid did it.
The G7 has been formed by the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, as well as the European Union as guests.
The Omicron variant, the trace of which was announced last Thursday in South Africa, has prompted several countries to announce travel restrictions that have southern Africa in origin.
A South African expert who treated people infected with the new strain said, however, that he had seen only mild symptoms so far in cases of Covid-19 caused by Omicron.
Variant Spread
The United Kingdom confirmed the detection of three cases of Omicron infection, all linked to visits to southern Africa.
Germany has reported three cases (two in Bavaria and one in Hessen), Italy has confirmed Omicron infections, Denmark has detected 2 cases and the Netherlands has reported 13 cases of the new variant among 61 travelers from South Africa. who had tested positive for covid. 19. Belgium and the Czech Republic also confirmed one case each of the new strain.
Other countries that have reported cases of the new version are Hong Kong, Botswana, Australia, Israel, Canada and Australia.
To try to stem a possible increase in the number of positive people, the British government has already announced a number of measures, such as resuming the mandatory use of masks in closed spaces, for people arriving from overseas. PCR testing, regardless of whether the vaccine has been administered, as well as expediting the delivery of booster doses.
Ten countries are on the UK government’s red list of risk of contagion. They are Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia as well as South Africa.
WHO calls for open borders
The World Health Organization (WHO) this Sunday asked to keep borders open amid the multiplication of travel restrictions across the world with respect to African countries due to the spread of the new version of the coronavirus.
“WHO is on the side of African countries and calls for keeping borders open,” the UN agency said in a statement, calling on countries to adopt a “scientific approach” based on a “risk assessment”.
According to the WHO, “it is critical that countries that are transparent with their data are supported”, as this is “the only way” to ensure that “critical data” is received “in a timely manner”. Is.
MD (EFE, Lusa, DPA)
