MANILA - A health official on Monday said there is still no evidence showing that the newly identified coronavirus variant Omicron is more likely to infect the younger population or cause severe symptoms. Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau officer-in-charge Director Alethea de Guzman said further studies are needed to better understand Omicron's transmissibility, infectivity and effect on vaccine efficacy. "Base sa pag-aaral, hindi natin makikita kung mas apektado nito ang isang age group at kung mas magiging severe case o mas magiging mataas ang tiyansa ng pagkamatay sa mga kaso na may (Based on studies, we cannot see yet if the variant affects a certain age group or if it causes severe symptoms or if it causes higher chances of death) Omicron variant," de Guzman said in an online briefing. Early news reports said the Omicron variant infected individuals below 40 years old and its symptoms are mild -- fatigue, headaches, and slight fever -- compared to that of the Delta variant. The Omicron variant was first detected on Nov. 21 in Botswana, Hong Kong, and South Africa. It was designated as a variant under monitoring on Nov. 24 and was classified as a variant of concern on Nov. 26. "With 50 mutations overall, 30 of which are in the spike region, it is possible that the Omicron variant may cause increased transmissibility and immune invasion," de Guzman said. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron. Regarding transmissibility, the WHO said it was not yet clear whether it is more transmissible compared to other variants, including Delta. "The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors," it said in an update posted on its website on Nov. 28. It is also not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta. "Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron," it said. "There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants. Initially reported infections were among university students -- younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease -- but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks," it added. Omicron is fast spreading across Europe, prompting local authorities and other countries to contain its spread by shutting borders anew. About 14 countries have reported incidence of the Omicron variant -- South Africa, 109; Botswana, 19; Netherlands, 13; the United Kingdom, 3; Germany, 3; Israel, 2; Canada, 2; Hong Kong, 2; Australia, 2; Denmark, 2; Austria, 1; Italy, 1; Belgium, 1; and the Czech Republic,1. Travel restrictions have been imposed on travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Seychelles. No cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in the country but it is just a matter of time, de Guzman said. "[It] is highly likely that the Omicron variant will eventually come into the country similar to other variants of concern. Measures proposed to be in place are to buy us time to prepare our local health systems," de Guzman said. De Guzman called for the strengthening of "Door 2" of the Four Door or Point of Entry Strategy to prevent entry or contain and mitigate cases of the Omicron variant. The strategy includes screening, quarantine, and testing at points of entry. If the variant has entered the country, de Guzman advised local government units to perform active case finding, immediate isolation, and contact tracing of detected cases. (PNA) }
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Australia , Hong Kong , United Kingdom , Seychelles , Lesotho , Czech Republic , South Africa , Austria , Mozambique , Canada , Germany , Namibia , Manila , Philippines , Malawi , Netherlands , Denmark , Israel , Zimbabwe , Belgium , Botswana , Italy , , Department Of Health Epidemiology Bureau , World Health Organization , Health Epidemiology Bureau , Director Alethea De Guzman , Four Door , Entry Strategy , Manilaa Health Official On Monday Said There Is Still No Evidence Showing That The Newly Identified Coronavirus Variant Omicron More Likely To Infect Younger Population Or Cause Severe Symptoms Department Of Epidemiology Bureau Officer In Charge Director Alethea De Guzman Further Studies Are Needed Better Understand 39s Transmissibility , Nfectivity And Effect On Vaccine Efficacy Quot Base Sa Pag Aaral , Indi Natin Makikita Kung Mas Apektado Nito Ang Isang Age Group At Magiging Severe Caseo Mataas Tiyansa Ng Pagkamatay Sa Mga Kaso Na May Based On Studies , E Cannot See Yet If The Variant Affectsa Certain Age Group Or It Causes Severe Symptoms Higher Chances Of Death Omicron , Uot De Guzman Said In An Online Briefing Early News Reports The Omicron Variant Infected Individuals Below 40 Years Old And Its Symptoms Are Mild Fatigue , Headaches , Nd Slight Fever Compared To That Of The Delta Variant Omicron Was First Detected On Nov 21 In Botswana , Nd South Africa It Was Designated Asa Variant Under Monitoring On Nov 24 And Classified Of Concern 26 Quot With 50 Mutations Overall , 0 Of Which Are In The Spike Region , T Is Possible That The Omicron Variant May Cause Increased Transmissibility And Immune Invasion , Uot De Guzman Said According To The World Health Organization Who , Esearchers In South Africa And Around The World Are Conducting Studies To Better Understand Many Aspects Of Omicron Regarding Transmissibility , He Who Said It Was Not Yet Clear Whether Is More Transmissible Compared To Other Variants , Ncluding Delta Quot The Number Of People Testing Positive Has Risen In Areas South Africa Affected By This Variant , Ut Epidemiologic Studies Are Underway To Understand If It Is Because Of Omicron Or Other Factors , Uot It Said In An Update Posted On Its Website Nov 28 Is Also Not Yet Clear Whether Infection With Omicron Causes More Severe Disease Compared To Infections Other Variants , Ncluding Delta Quot Preliminary Data Suggests That There Are Increasing Rates Of Hospitalization In South Africa , Ut This May Be Due To Increasing Overall Numbers Of People Becoming Infected , Ather Thana Result Of Specific Infection With Omicron , Uot It Said Quot There Is Currently No Information To Suggest That Symptoms Associated With Omicron Are Different From Those Other Variants Initially Reported Infections Were Among University Students Younger Individuals Who Tend Have More Mild Disease But Understanding The Level Of Severity Variant Will Take Days Several Weeks , Uot It Added Omicron Is Fast Spreading Across Europe , Rompting Local Authorities And Other Countries To Contain Its Spread By Shutting Borders Anew About 14 Have Reported Incidence Of The Omicron Variant South Africa , 09 Botswana , 9 Netherlands , 3 The United Kingdom , Sky Germany , Pm Israel , Vgm Canada , A Hong Kong , Min Australia , Usa Denmark , L Austria , L Italy , Aig Belgium , And The Czech Republic , 1 Travel Restrictions Have Been Imposed On Travelers From South Africa , Eswatini , Alawi And Seychelles No Cases Of The Omicron Variant Have Been Detected In Country But It Is Justa Matter Time , E Guzman Said Quot It Is Highly Likely That The Omicron Variant Will Eventually Come Into Country Similar To Other Variants Of Concern Measures Proposed Be In Place Are Buy Us Time Prepare Our Local Health Systems , Uot De Guzman Said Called For The Strengthening Of Quot Door 2 Four Or Point Entry Strategy To Prevent Contain And Mitigate Cases Omicron Variant Includes Screening , Quarantine , Nd Testing At Points Of Entry If The Variant Has Entered Country , E Guzman Advised Local Government Units To Perform Active Case Finding , Mmediate Isolation , Nd Contact Tracing Of Detected Cases Pna ,
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