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South Africa Says 'No Need to Panic' Over Omicron Covid Variant
Posted
November 29, 2021
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1:11Now PlayingThe new coronavirus variant appears to be more transmissible than its predecessors although most cases have been mild so far, according to scientists advising the South African government.
In South Africa, where omicron was first detected, officials said most new hospital admissions are unvaccinated, and anecdotal evidence suggests they are presenting with similar illnesses as before.
At a briefing Monday, health experts said existing vaccines are still likely to offer good protection against severe effects.
South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla said “there is no need to panic” about the new variant and that the reaction of other governments was unjustified.
The emergence of the new mutation has sparked a global race to understand how quickly it spreads and how existing vaccines will respond. Cases have been identified in a number of countries, including Canada, the U.K. and Australia, and multiple governments imposed travel restrictions on South Africa and a number of neighboring countries.
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