No Reports Of Omicron Variant Appearing In US Yet, Canada Prepares Full Standby Strategy

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JAKARTA - The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC confirmed that it had not received any reports of the Omicron Variant in this country. This variant from South Africa has become a new pandemic threat to the world.

"We hope that Omicron can be identified quickly, if it emerges in the US," the CDC said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Government is already implementing enhanced border measures to protect the health and safety of its citizens in response to the new Omicron variant.

Canada will enforce strict measures for anyone returning from seven countries on the African continent — including South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.

Foreign nationals who have traveled in one of these countries, within 14 days will not be allowed to enter Canada.

“As a precaution, until January 31, 2022, the Government of Canada is implementing enhanced border measures for all travelers who have been in the South African region — including South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia — within 14 days. last before arriving in Canada," reads a recent Canadian press release.

As previously reported, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday classified the variant B.1.1529 detected in South Africa as a "variant of concern" of SARS-CoV-2, saying it may be spreading more rapidly than other forms.

Preliminary evidence suggests there is an increased risk of reinfection and there has been an "adverse change in the epidemiology of COVID-19," it said in a statement after a closed-door meeting of independent experts who reviewed the data.

Infections in South Africa have risen sharply in recent weeks, coinciding with the detection of the variant now designated as omicron, the WHO said.

"This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are worrisome. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant, compared to the others (variants of concern)," WHO explained, citing The Jerusalem Post November 27.

The Omicron is the fifth variant to carry such a designation.

"This variant has been detected at a faster rate than the previous spike in infections, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage," the WHO said.