Strong genomic surveillance systems in South Africa and Botswana enabled the identification of Omicron within a week of observing a resurgence in cases in Gauteng province. Immediate notification of the WHO and early designation as a VOC has stimulated global scientific efforts and has given other countries time to prepare their response. Omicron is now driving a fourth wave of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in southern Africa, and is spreading rapidly in several other countries. Genotypic and phenotypic data suggest that Omicron has the capacity for substantial evasion of neutralizing antibody responses, and modelling suggests that immune evasion could be a major driver of the observed transmission dynamics. Close monitoring of the spread of Omicron in countries outside southern Africa will be necessary to better understand its transmissibility and the capacity of this variant to evade post-infection and vaccine-elicited immunity. Neutralizing antibodies are only one component of the immune protection from vaccines and prior infection, and the cellular immune response is predicted to be less affected by the mutations in Omicron. Vaccination therefore remains critical to protect those who have the highest risk of severe disease and death. The emergence and rapid spread of Omicron poses a threat to the world and a particular threat in Africa, where fewer than one in ten people are fully vaccinated.
Anya Varia 30 Vid Torrent Full Version hit
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