Governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont, has released a statement regarding the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, also known as the Omicron variant, urging citizens of the US to get vaccinated because “the best defense against COVID-19 is a good offense”.
The Governor highlighted that Connecticut, a US state in southern New England, has garnered national recognition during this pandemic because of the corporation of its residents and he is hopeful “with your help, we will get through this next stage, as well”.
“This news of the Omicron variant reminds us about the importance of being vaccinated and getting a booster. We have now entered the winter holiday season and still need to mask while in indoor, public places, practice proper hand hygiene, get tested, and stay home if you feel sick. That cold may be more than just a cold. It is particularly important to take extra precautions when visiting with older or immune-compromised friends or family who are at higher risk from COVID”.
Governor Ned Lamont
In the press statement, Governor Ned Lamont disclosed that his outfit is monitoring the “new COVID variant of concern”, which was identified by the World Health Organization on Friday.
This new variant – named Omicron – was first reported to the WHO by government officials in South Africa. Governor Lamont revealed that a team at the Connecticut Department of Public Health, led by Commissioner Manisha Juthani, is following these developments closely.
No Official case of Omicron variant reported in US
According to him, even though there have been no cases of the Omicron variant reported in Connecticut or the United States to date, “we still must be vigilant”.
Yet, Governor Ned Lamont stated that given the number of countries where Omicron has already been detected, it may already be present in the U.S.
“Earlier this year we set up a network of labs, coordinated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, that are conducting genomic sequencing on positive test specimens to provide understanding of the variants circulating in Connecticut. Our advance planning in this area will help us track Omicron, in addition to other variants that could appear in the future”.
Governor Ned Lamont
Following the detection of the new variant in South Africa, European member-states agreed on Friday to temporarily suspend travel from southern African nations over the outbreak of the new coronavirus variant. Countries affected by the ban comprise South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said there is a “high to very high” risk the new variant will spread in Europe. The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant.
WHO’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions.
South Africa disappointed at the EU over travel ban
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed disappointment at the European Union over the recent travel ban instituted against southern African countries. The President described as unjustified the travel ban which has been linked to the discovery of the new highly-mutated coronavirus variant Omicron.
“We are deeply disappointed by the decision of several countries to prohibit travel from a number of Southern African countries including our own”.
President Cyril Ramaphosa
President Ramaphosa said the outbreak of the Omicron variant should be a wake-up call to the world that vaccine inequality cannot be allowed to continue.
READ ASLO: Policy Rate Increment May Help Curtail Inflation But Lending Rates May Go Up – Prof. Quartey
