European Health Authorities Issue Strong Warning: "Omicron Extremely Dangerous"

On the 20th (local time), residents in Lausanne, Switzerland, held a protest against quarantine measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the health authority of the European Union (EU), has warned of the strong risks posed by the new COVID-19 variant, 'Omicron.'

According to AFP, the ECDC stated in a risk assessment report released on the 26th (local time) that "the overall risk posed by the SARS-CoV-2 variant 'Omicron' to the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) is assessed as 'HIGH to VERY HIGH'."

This corresponds to level 5 out of 6 risk levels, ranging from 'LOW' to 'VERY HIGH,' just one step below the highest level.

The ECDC's COVID-19 risk assessment matrix evaluates overall risk by combining probability and impact based on population groups and vaccination status.

While acknowledging "considerable uncertainty regarding the characteristics of the Omicron variant, such as transmissibility, vaccine effectiveness, and reinfection risk," the ECDC stated that "considering the potentially high transmissibility and immune evasion of Omicron, the likelihood of further introduction and community spread within the EU and EEA is assessed as 'HIGH.'"

It also warned that in the context of a resurgence of the Delta variant in the region, "the impact of Omicron's introduction and further spread would be at a 'VERY HIGH' level."

Omicron was first reported by South African scientists who discovered a new variant with 32 genetic mutations in the spike protein.

It was initially detected in Botswana, Africa, and is spreading in South Africa, with subsequent cases confirmed in Israel, Hong Kong, Belgium, and other locations.

As winter approaches, a season vulnerable to indoor infections, EU countries, already on alert, began restricting entry from South African countries upon learning that the new variant had already arrived in Europe.

The UK, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, and others announced measures such as blocking flights from South Africa and neighboring countries, banning entry of non-citizens, and imposing quarantines.