Washington, Nov 29, : The US could be in a fifth wave of coronavirus infection, according to Anthony Fauci, a top infectious disease expert.This is despite rising cases from the newly discovered Covid variant Omicron, and stagnating vaccination rates. The Guardian reported that Fauci believes the Omicron variant has increased transmissibility.
The latest variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus B.1.1.529 was classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as a “Variant of Concern”.It was first detected in Botswana, Africa.
Since then, it has spread to many European countries, including Belgium, France, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Fauci pointed out that Covid cases rose rapidly in South Africa, where Omicron has been discovered, in a very short time.
Media reports claim that genome sequencing and other genetic analyses have revealed that the B.1.1.529 variation was responsible for all 77 virus samples taken from Gauteng, South Africa between 12 and 20 Nov.It is also being discovered in all other provinces.
“You were experiencing a low level infection and then suddenly there was a big spike.South Africans saw it and said, “Oh my goodness.” Fauci was quoted by NBC News as saying that this is a new virus than what we’ve been dealing.
“So it is clearly indicating that it can transmit quickly.He said that this is what’s causing us to be concerned and to also put pressure on ourselves to improve our presentation.
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has not confirmed any Omicron cases in the US, Fauci stated that “as we all understand, when you have a disease that has already spread to multiple countries, it will always be here.”
Fauci said on CBS that any fifth wave of cases would depend on what CBS does in the next few months to a few weeks.The US now has approximately 62 million eligible people who have not been vaccinated.
“Superimpose the fact that unquestionably the people who were vaccinated six-, seven, eighteen, nine, ten months ago, and we are beginning to see a decrease in immunity.It’s known as waning immunity and was evident in other countries before it was apparent here.
Fauci stated that an increase in immunisation rates or booster shots could prevent another surge, but the US needed to act quickly.
He said, “So if you now do what I’m referring to in an intense manner, we may be capable of blunting that.” “If we fail to do it successfully, it’s possible and possibly likely that we will experience another bit of an increase.It all depends on how bad we make it.
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