Information is still lacking regarding Omicron.
But, for the time being, no death related to this new variant which worries the planet has been reported to the WHO.
"I have not seen any information reporting deaths linked to Omicron," WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said during a press briefing in Geneva on Friday.
As more countries test to try to detect the new variant, "we'll have more cases, more information, and - although I hope not - possibly deaths," he said.
The WHO estimates, for the moment, that the vaccines remain effective in protecting against the most serious cases but it will take several weeks to have a much more precise picture of the potential impact of Omicron.
"Preliminary data seems to point to greater contagiousness, but basically that's all we know for the moment," said Christian Lindmeier.
Risk of global spread
The new variant, classified as worrying by the WHO, was first detected in southern Africa but since the South African health authorities alerted the WHO on November 24, infections with Omicron have been observed in around 30 countries. on all continents.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the "likelihood of Omicron to spread globally" "high", although many unknowns remain.
Read alsoVariant Omicron: across the world, the hunt for "patient zero"
But the spokesperson insisted on recalling that most of the cases of Covid-19 are caused by the Delta variant, to give a little perspective.
"The restrictions put in place in many countries just two weeks ago" is because "of an increase in the number of cases linked to Delta.
We must not forget it, ”he insisted.
Cases are exploding across Europe, where Germany, after Austria, is considering making vaccination compulsory.