WHO warns Covid variant Omicron risk \`very high\`

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Monday the new Covid-19 Omicron variant poses a "very high" risk globally_ despite uncertainties about the danger and contagion levels of the new strain.

The UN health agency said the Covid strain first discovered in southern Africa was a "highly divergent variant with a high number of mutations... some of which are concerning and may be associated with immune escape potential and higher transmissibility."

"The likelihood of potential further spread of Omicron at the global level is high_" WHO cautioned in a technical note.

To date_ no deaths connected with the Omicron variant have been reported_ it added.

But even if the new variant does not prove more dangerous or deadly than previous ones_ if it spreads more easily it will spark more cases and more pressure on health systems_ and thus more deaths_ the organization said.

"If another major surge of Covid-19 takes place driven by Omicron_ consequences may be severe_" it said_ concluding that "the overall global risk related to the new VOC (variant of concern) Omicron is assessed as very high."

WHO said countries should enhance their surveillance to try to get a clear overview of where and how fast it is spreading.

It also urged accelerated vaccination against Covid_ especially among vulnerable populations who have yet to receive any jabs.

But it has cautioned against imposing travel bans_ fearing that blocking travel from countries where new variants are first spotted could be unfair and dissuade surveillance.

"With the Omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world_ putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity_" said WHO regional director Matshidiso Moeti.

A growing list of countries have already imposed travel restrictions on southern Africa_ including Britain_ Indonesia_ Kuwait_ the Netherlands_ Qatar_ Saudi Arabia and the United States.