WHO urges Asia-Pacific region to prepare for Omicron variant

Manila — The World Health Organisation warned Asia-Pacific countries on Friday to boost healthcare capacity and fully vaccinate their people to prepare for a surge in Covid-19 cases as the Omicron variant spreads globally despite travel curbs.Omicron started gaining a foothold in Asia this week, with cases reported in India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

“What is most important is to prepare for these variants with potential high transmissibility. So far the information available suggests we don’t have to change our approach.” “I suspect within the [next few] months, Omicron will be the new virus in the world,” Paul Kelly, the top medical adviser to the Australian government, told reporters.

Less than 60% of the US population, or 196-million people, have been fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates among wealthy nations.Global travel curbs have accelerated with Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway and Russia, among others, announcing fresh measures on Thursday. Malaysia said on Friday that it would tighten restrictions further.

Oil prices climbed although they were still on course for a sixth week of declines amid concerns that demand could fall due to measures to contain Omicron.

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