As we all know, the Omicron variant, which emerged towards the end of 2021, caused an increase in cases all over the world and a rise in global concerns again. For this reason, many countries started to turn to restrictions again and make efforts to increase vaccination rates.
However, recently, there has been talk of easing restrictions in European countries due to mild symptoms of Omicron and rising vaccination rates. Denmark took such a decision earlier this month and removed its restrictions by removing COVID from the ‘critical illness’ category. The United Kingdom was one of the countries that planned to lift the measures. However, the statements made by the experts showed that it was too early to be complacent.
Future variants may be more dangerous than Omicron
The country’s leading scientists have made statements about the UK’s plans to lift all restrictions. Professor at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Mark Woolhouse emphasized that the belief that variants will gradually become lighter can be dangerous. Expressing that the next variants may be more dangerous and deadly, Woolhouse added the following to his statements:
“The Omicron variant is not a variant from the Delta variant. A variant originating from another part of the virus tree entirely. For this reason, it is not possible for us to know how the next variant might be and how pathogenic it might be”
In addition, Prof. Expressing that he also agrees with Woolhouse, Lawrence Young emphasized that the belief that variants will become lighter as time goes on is wrong. Woolhouse added that the variants that may emerge in the future may be even more dangerous than Delta.
Measures need to be determined in advance
Finally, statements from the World Health Organization (WHO) stating that it is not right to be complacent came. COVID-19 special representative David Nabarro underlined in his statements that there is significant uncertainty about future variants.
Underlining that the variants that may arise can be more contagious and deadly with different symptoms, Nabarro emphasized that plans and measures against such variants should be determined and prepared in advance. Noting that people should not neglect to pay attention to their personal protection, Nabarro said that it is important to protect those around us and ourselves.
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