At least 23 countries have confirmed cases of the omicron variant of Covid-19, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Amidst worries of the new variant’s impact, WHO epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove said that data on its contagiousness is expected “within days”.
Meanwhile, about 56 countries were reportedly implementing travel measures to guard against Omicron as of Nov. 28, the WHO said. Many countries have implemented new restrictions or extended existing curbs for international air travel. The measures have been criticised by the chief of the United Nations chief, who accused countries of exercising “travel aparthied” for restricting air travel from some African nations. The variant was first discovered by health experts in South Africa.
