The Omicron strain of the coronavirus is spreading quicker than the Delta variant according to the WHO, and is causing illnesses in persons who have already been vaccinated or who have recovered from the COVID-19 disease.
“There is now consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading substantially quicker than the Delta variation,” WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Monday during a press conference in Geneva.
Additionally, Israel has added the US to its “no-fly” list, citing fears of the new Omicron coronavirus type spreading.
On Monday, Israeli cabinet ministers decided to add the United States, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Canada, Switzerland, and Turkey to the no-fly list, based on health ministry recommendations.
In Europe, Germany has ruled out a Christmas shutdown, but has warned that the development of Omicron means a fifth COVID-19 wave will be impossible to stop.
Omicron appears to be stronger at avoiding antibodies produced by some COVID-19 vaccines, but WHO officials say there are other types of immunity that can help prevent infection and sickness.
