SEMANO Sekatle, the Minister of Health, has issued a warning to the nation about the newly found Corona variant (Variant B.1.1.529) called Omicron.
health
Nov. 29, 2021
OWN CORRESPONDENT
2 min read
Sekatle warns nations about new Corona variant
Minister of Health, Semano Sekatle
Story highlights
Omicron has high infection speed as it contains multiple mutations that kill faster than any other experienced viruses in the world
WHO recommends that while studies and researches are underway, people must continue practicing all health protocols
The variant was discovered on November 24 by the National Institute for Communicable disease (NICD) in the Republic of South Africa (RSA).
The affected areas in the RSA, Mr Sekatle are in the North West and Limpopo provinces.
“Other countries affected include Botswana, Belgium, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and Hong Kong,” he said.
Omicron, he said has high infection speed as it contains multiple mutations that kill faster than any other viruses experienced in the world.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), he said has therefore recommended that while studies and researches are underway, people must continue practicing all health protocols in order to protect themselves against the virus.
However, he said it is saddening to see developed countries closing their borders especially to RSA while they should be congratulating the country for identifying the new variant first.
The countries, he said are now treating the matter as if the variant originated in RSA yet the neighbouring country received it from other unknown sources.
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“Lesotho will continue to abide by the WHO rules and regulations and every Mosotho must take responsibility of their lives by taking all the necessary precautionary measures,'' he said.
The Minister further explained that Lesotho is proud to announce that through the National Referral Laboratory (NRL), every kind of corona virus can be detectable no matter the changes that it does, pleading with the public to maintain the COVID-19 safety protocols in order to avoid lockdown restrictions.
The minister said as of December 1, the ministry will open vaccination points at all the border gates to ensure that all incoming travellers get vaccinated.
“Travellers who claim to have been vaccinated in the RSA will have to produce valid vaccination cards and that will be done through the help of RSA health centres with their database. LeNA
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