Anthony Fauci, President of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, explained that the first findings show that the Omicron variant of the Corona virus probably has a higher degree of contagiousness, but is transmitted more mildly.
Fauci, President Biden’s health adviser, said at a press briefing at the White House that although more data is needed, early cases of Omicron require fewer hospitalizations and patients need less oxygen.
Fauci noted that more data is expected next week, but it will take a few weeks to reach firm conclusions.
Jeff Zients, Coordinator of the White House Corona Virus Task Force, also said at the briefing that the United States regularly reassesses travel restrictions imposed on some South African countries when Omicron was first detected, but these restrictions will remain in effect for a “reasonable time”.
Stating that 12.5 million doses of vaccine were administered in the USA last week, Zients said that this is the highest number since May and that approximately 7 million of them are supplemental doses.
Warning against travel restrictions from the African Union
On the other hand, the African Union called for the immediate lifting of travel restrictions imposed on some member states. In the statement made by the union, it was noted that with the measures, governments that share data in a timely manner in line with international health regulations are effectively penalized.
The statement warned that the restrictions “are a deterrent from future information sharing and potentially pose a threat to health security on the continent and globally.”
European Union countries imposed travel restrictions on seven African countries in the last week of November, immediately after several countries, including the US, UK and Israel, reported several cases of the Omicron variant, considered highly contagious.