Saudi Arabia confirmed its first case of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant as countries tightened restrictions on international travel in an attempt to slow its spread.
Saudi’s state-run SPA quoted a source from the health ministry as saying the infected individual – a Saudi national who has been isolated – had travelled back from a North African country. The announcement came as Ugur Sahin, the CEO of COVID-19 vaccine-maker BioNTech, said that while the Omicron variant could lead to more vaccinated people becoming infected, they would likely remain protected against severe illness.
Meanwhile, a panel of US health advisers narrowly backed a closely watched COVID-19 pill from Merck which could lead to authorisation later this week.
Scientists have been scrambling to learn more about the effects of the Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa last week.
It remains unclear where or when the variant first emerged. But nations have rushed to impose travel restrictions, especially on visitors coming from Southern Africa, despite the World Health Organization’s call for “rational” measures in response to the new strain.
Source: IOL
In other news -Murdah Bongz reacts to AKA’s request to be part of baby Asante’s life
DJ Zinhle’s The Unexpected which focuses on her private life, has once again managed to stir up a conversation and this time her children are being put on the spotlight.
On the latest episode, Zinhle revealed that her baby daddy AKA, is willing to be a part of Asante’s life and she was all for it. But Asante’s dad, Murdah Bongz, is taking baby steps in making sure this whole blended family situation comes to pass. Learn more
