The G-7 Calls Omicron Variant The Biggest Threat To World Health Today, Agrees On Booster Doses

Illustration of COVID-19. (Unsplash/Gabriella Clare Marino)

JAKARTA - Group of Seven countries on Thursday (December 16) called the Omicron variant the "biggest threat today to global public health", saying its emergence means it is more important than ever for countries to work closely together.

"Deeply concerned by the increase in cases, ministers agreed that this development should be seen as the greatest threat today to global public health," the UK, currently chair of the G-7 Group, said in a statement, citing The Straits Times December 17.

"It is more important than ever to work closely together, and monitor and share data," the statement added.

The G-7 Health Ministers previously held a meeting hosted by Britain, which has seen a spike in COVID-19 infection cases in recent times, setting a record high daily number of infections on Thursday.

The ministers focused on global access to diagnostics, genome sequencing, vaccines, and therapies in an effort to combat the spread of Omicron variants.

"They also agreed on the increasing importance of booster (COVID-19 vaccine dose) campaigns and regular testing in addition to ongoing non-pharmaceutical measures," the statement said.

To note, UK's new COVID-19 cases hit a record high for the second straight day on Thursday, as the UK's Chief Medical Officer warned daily hospital admissions could also hit new peaks due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Britain reported 88.376 new infections, the highest since the start of the pandemic and up about 10.000 since the previous record set on Wednesday.

Citing Reuters, the spike in daily infection cases is increasing pressure on healthcare services struggling with overwhelmed staff, England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said on Thursday.