New variant biggest threat to global public health, G-7 cautions

WASHINGTON • The Group of Seven (G-7) nations have called the Omicron variant the biggest threat to global public health, as US President Joe Biden warned of a "winter of severe illness and death" for those unvaccinated against Covid-19.

The stark words on Thursday came as Britain saw more than 88,000 Covid-19 infections, a second consecutive record daily number, prompting France to impose new limits on travel to Britain.

Scientists remain uncertain how dangerous the highly mutated Omicron variant is, but early data suggests it can be more resistant to vaccines and is more transmissible than the Delta variant.

A study released yesterday by Imperial College London found no evidence of Omicron cases being less severe than Delta cases.

The team analysed all the Covid-19 cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction tests in England between Nov 29 and Dec 11, and found that having had Covid-19 probably offers only 19 per cent protection against the Omicron variant. That was roughly in line with two doses of vaccine.

Adding a booster dose helped dramatically, blocking an estimated 55 per cent to 80 per cent of symptomatic cases.

The World Health Organisation said earlier this week that the strain has been reported in 77 countries and has "probably" spread to most nations undetected.

Countries worldwide have begun advising against foreign travel while ramping up domestic restrictions and vaccination efforts.

The variant has spurred Asia's governments to action, as more cases emerge.

Singapore, which has detected 24 cases of the variant as at Thursday, is preparing for a fresh wave of infections by ramping up its hospital and testing capacities, and pressing on with booster shots for its highly vaccinated population.

Japan yesterday said it would accelerate the roll-out of booster shots for health workers and the elderly by two months, making them eligible for the jabs six months after their second vaccine shot.

"Our strict border controls are intended to give us time to find out more about Omicron and make the necessary preparations," said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

A new cluster of infections emerged in China's southern Guangdong province, prompting lockdowns amid signs that the Omicron variant may be spreading in the community.

India yesterday advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and mass gatherings, after health officials reported 101 Omicron cases.

The G-7 on Thursday called the variant the "biggest current threat to global public health", saying its emergence meant it was "more important than ever" for countries to cooperate closely and share data.

In a meeting hosted by group chair Britain, the countries' health ministers emphasised the "increasing importance of booster campaigns and regular testing", according to a statement.

Mr Biden's warning about winter came as he urged Americans who have already had two shots to get boosters, and vaccine sceptics to step up and get jabbed.

"The only real protection is to get your shot," he said, with the White House saying the administration did not intend to take specific restrictive measures but would instead focus on vaccination.

The United States, the hardest-hit country in the world, is currently averaging 1,150 Covid-19 deaths per day, according to figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The magnitude of the threat was being felt strongest in Britain, even as it stopped short of imposing formal limits on socialising as the government awaits further evidence of Omicron's severity.

Last year, Christmas celebrations were drastically curtailed after the Alpha variant swept the country. Britons had hoped that this year would be different, but cases have again shot up to record levels and there are now fears the variant could overwhelm hospitals during the festive season.

Canada has also urged its citizens to avoid foreign travel over the Christmas holidays, with Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos saying the Omicron variant "makes us fear the worst".

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BLOOMBERG