Dr Michael Owusu, a Virologist with the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), has disclosed that the newly detected Omicron variant of Covid-19 has the potential of penetrating any country and population to cause a massive wave, irrespective of a country’s closure of its land or air borders.

According to him, this is cause for concern as the country could record cases of the new variant due to the virus’ ability to infect both non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated persons, particularly the youth. Dr Owusu explained that there is the need to intensify the vaccination exercises and the strict adherence to the preventive protocols.

“No country can stop a new variant from penetrating. You can only prevent as many people as possible from entering the country… But it has the potential of causing another massive wave across the world. Whether you protect your borders or not, this virus will enter through every part of the country and succeed in achieving its wave”.
Dr Michael Owusu

The KCCR virologist indicated that the new variant may not be deadlier depending on the characteristics of the population. This, he noted, was because the African population proved somewhat rebellious against the delta variant.

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“Africans seem to do well against these new variants. Africa did not suffer the dire consequence of the delta variant like those in India. It can be predicted that the impact may not be that much compared to what other Europeans may face. You cannot really tell whether it’s going to cause any severe disease or deaths like the delta variant”.
Dr Michael Owusu

South Africans, Dr Owusu revealed, are recording “2,000 cases” of the new variant daily. With some 65% of the cases are among those who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated.

“… It’s the young population that seem to be driving this Omicron variant. The vaccination is the sure way to go. If you get vaccinated, you can prevent the virus from achieving its impact on the people”.
Dr Michael Owusu

The World Health Organization on November 26 declared the Omicron a variant of concern. The declaration was made following research that proved the new variant to have several mutations in its gene.

Prioritize PwDs in COVID-19 vaccination campaign

Meanwhile, VOICE Ghana, a leading NGOs for People with Disabilities (PwDs), has called on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and stakeholders to prioritize PwDS during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

According to the institution, PwDs are the most vulnerable in society and most marginalized.

Contained in a press release, the group commemorated the International Day of People with Disabilities under the global theme: ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’.

“VOICE Ghana joins the disability fraternity globally, particularly in Ghana as well as the international community, to bemoan the challenges and barriers being faced by people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions, especially during this time of COVID-19. We see disability inclusion as very essential for health system planning, development, and decision making in this critical time. For this reason, we call on our government to prioritize the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination for people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions”.
VOICE Ghana

VOICE Ghana urged vaccinators to ensure they set up centres at locations that are accessible and user friendly to PwDS “and where necessary, sign language interpretation arrangements are made, to foster full participation by all categories of the disable”.