Covid: Global risk from Omicron variant is 'very high' says World Health Organisation

The global risk from the omicron variant of coronavirus is “very high” based on early evidence, the World Health Organisation has said.

It said the variant could lead to surges with “severe consequences”.

The UN health agency, in a technical memo to member states, says “considerable uncertainties” remain about the new variant that was first detected in southern Africa.

But it says the likelihood of possible further spread around the world is high.

This comes after governments have taken steps to tighten their borders as cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus appeared in countries on opposite sides of the world.

Poland is the latest to take action, suspending flights to seven southern African countries where the new variant was first detected.

Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said that travellers from those countries would have to quarantine for 14 days.

The new rules are to begin on Wednesday and last until December 17.

Japan had earlier taken action as it said it would suspend the entry of all foreign visitors from around the world.

“We are taking the step as an emergency precaution to prevent a worst-case scenario in Japan,” said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He said the measure will take effect on Tuesday.

The decision means Japan will restore border controls that it eased earlier this month for short-term business visitors, foreign students and workers.

Mr Kishida urged people to continue with mask wearing and other basic anti-virus measures until further details of the new Omicron variant are known.

Many countries have moved to tighten their borders even as scientists warned that it is not clear if the new variant is more alarming than other versions of the virus.

The variant was identified days ago by researchers in South Africa, and much is still not known about it, including whether it is more contagious, more likely to cause serious illness or more able to evade the protection of vaccines.

But South African doctors said on Monday that the rapid increase in cases attributed to the new Omicron variant is resulting in mostly mild symptoms.

Dr Unben Pillay, a GP in Gauteng province, where 81% of the new cases have been reported, said he had seen a sharp rise in new Covid-19 cases in the past 10 days.

But he said that so far the cases had been very mild, with patients having flu-like symptoms, dry coughs, fever, night sweats, some pain in the body. He said most had been treated at home.

He also said that vaccinated people were faring much better than the unvaccinated.

But many countries rushed to act, reflecting anxiety about anything that could prolong the pandemic that has killed more than five million people.