In the written statement made after the meeting of the Organization’s Technical Advisory Group on the Evolution of the Kovid-19 Virus (TAG-VE), the latest data on Omicron’s BA.1 and BA.2 sub-variants, which are the most widespread in the world, were evaluated.
“SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE DEFINED AS ‘AMAZING VARIANT'”
Noting that the BA.2 subvariant should continue to be identified as a “variant of concern” due to its rate of spread, “Group members stressed that BA.2 as the prominent subvariant of Omicron continues to be closely monitored by health authorities.” expression was used.
“SHOW MORE INFECTION”
It was noted that Omicron was seen as the most common global Kovid-19 variant in the case samples sent to the Global Initiative for the Sharing of Influenza Data (GISAID). .
“MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN OTHER SUB VARIANTS”
Stating that the amino acid and spike protein in the genetic sequence of BA.2 are different from BA.1, “Research has shown that the growth advantage of BA.2 is higher than BA.1. The reasons for this are being investigated, but preliminary data indicate that this growth advantage is higher than that of BA.1. points out that the advantage comes from the fact that BA.2 is more contagious than other subvariants.” statement was made.
It was emphasized that the effectiveness of the first two doses of vaccine against Omicron still continues, and more data is needed to clarify the effect ratio of the booster dose.
GLOBAL CASE INCREASES DOWN 21 PERCENT
On the other hand, in the Weekly Kovid-19 Update report published by WHO, it was reported that the increase in Kovid-19 cases and deaths on February 14-20 decreased by 21 percent and 8 percent, respectively, compared to the previous week.
In this time period, WHO showed the highest decrease in case rates with 29 percent in the Western Pacific Region, while the death rates were 37 percent in South East Asia, 9 percent in North and South America, 5 percent in Europe and Eastern Mediterranean. It was reported that there was a decrease of 4 percent.
In the last week, 12 million new cases were seen worldwide, while 67 thousand people died due to the virus. (AA)