As you know, a new variant called Omicron was discovered a few days ago. We don’t know enough about Omicron yet, which some scientists have already warned is the strongest variant. However, the variant is spreading gradually and although it takes some time to see its effects, it is useful to be cautious beforehand.
prof. Dr. Mehmet Ceyhan also mentioned exactly this in his recent statement. Stating that the virus has already reached many countries from South Africa, Ceyhan stated that many pandemic measures that were left should come back.
Countries where the variant has reached and the number of cases:
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Head of Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ceyhan mentioned that the measures taken in the origin of the variant are not sufficient alone to prevent the Omicron variant cases. Because stopping the flights of 6 countries nearby after the virus emerged in South Africa could not have been a move that brought the end of the variant after the variant reached Europe. Ceyhan, which also lists the countries where the Omicron variant is seen, explained the measures to be taken as follows:
The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly. Stopping flights with only 6 countries in South Africa will not solve the problem. Measures at the entrance and exit of countries should be increased in general. In the current wave, we have not been able to reduce the number of cases below 20-30 thousand for 4 months. And if the omicron spread starts, we may be in a difficult situation. Therefore, we must take the following precautions without delay:
- Gradual overtime should be applied
- Crowding in workplaces should be prevented by flexible working hours and working in shifts if necessary.
- Masks must be mandatory in closed areas.
- Face-to-face meetings and congresses in closed areas should be ended
- The decision of not obligatory wearing masks, taken by the decision of the scientific committee, in hotels where foreigners share the same places with Turks, should be changed.
- Coercive measures should be put in place to accelerate vaccination
- Regardless of the country of origin, the condition of being vaccinated must be sought when entering the country. If you are unvaccinated, having a PCR test does not prevent variants from entering the country, since the sensitivity of the test is low. “
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