South African health authorities have told top medical experts in India that they are observing “very low hospitalisation” directly linked to Omicron, despite the fact that the new Covid variant of concern is “highly transmissible” and patients are experiencing extreme fatigue even with mild disease.
The latest news came as the World Health Organization (WHO) rated the new variant’s Omicron as a global danger as “extremely high,” and India offered assistance to African countries dealing with Omicron and pledged supply of Made-in-India vaccines.
Experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) met with South African authorities to discuss Omicron, particularly its transmissibility and severity, according to top government sources.
According to sources, South African experts found Omicron to be extremely transmissible when compared to Delta, the most common form currently circulating in India. “Based on the exchange, we also know that the variant has been related to extremely limited hospitalisation so far,” sources said.
As of now, no deaths have been reported as a result of Omicron, according to South African doctors. “So far, it has only manifested as a moderate sickness with excessive weariness and throat discomfort as the primary symptoms,” according to authorities.
Patients do not experience loss of sense, smell, or taste, as documented in other versions, or a decline in oxygen levels, as recorded in the Delta form, according to the South Africans. “Based on the exchange, we are not panicked at this time.” We’ll have to wait a few days to see what occurs. “However, if anything untoward occurs, they will inform us,” insiders stated.
India Extends Help to Omicron affected African Regions through COVAXIN, Made In India Vaccine Supplies
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement in which it expressed “solidarity with the countries, notably in Africa, that have been hit so far by the Omicron variety.”
The government “stands ready to assist impacted African countries in coping with the Omicron form, including by supplying Made-in-India vaccines,” it said.
“Supplies can be done bilaterally or through Covax. In this regard, the government has approved all orders for Covishield vaccinations placed by Covax to date, including those to African countries such as Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea, and Lesotho. The MEA added, “We have also cleared supply of Covaxin to Botswana.”
“Any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through Covax will be considered expeditiously,” it said.
The Government also said that it is ready to supply life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment, such as ventilators. “Indian institutions would favourably consider cooperation in genomic surveillance and virus characterisation-related research work with their African counterparts,” the statement said.
The Government also said that it is ready to supply life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment, such as ventilators. “Indian institutions would favourably consider cooperation in genomic surveillance and virus characterisation-related research work with their African counterparts,” the statement said.
India has, so far, supplied more than 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa, including nearly one million doses in the form of grants to 16 countries and over 16 million doses under the Covax facility to 33 countries.
On Sunday, the WHO had said that it is not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to other variants, including Delta.
Later, in a new technical brief circulated to countries, it said there were “considerable uncertainties” in information about Omicron, but preliminary reports suggest a potential for “increased risk” from this variant.
