The Omicron tsunami continues to wreak havoc around the world. More and more scientists believe, in fact, that the spread of this variant, very contagious, but less virulent than its predecessors, could lead the world to the end of the pandemic. Should we therefore see our salvation in this? The experts contacted by “Le Matin” enlighten us on the subject.
Cases of Omicron variant contaminations continue to reach world records. This extremely contagious virus affects virtually the entire planet. The good news is that it is this rapid spread that could turn Covid-19 into an endemic disease. Indeed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and more recently the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the rapid spread of this variant gives rise to hopes for achieving collective immunity.
While vaccinated people will have more antibodies, non-vaccinated people will develop natural protection against the virus. According to scientists, the more people who are positive for Covid-19, the more the proportion of the immune population will increase. It is even estimated that this potential collective immunity will make it possible to better cope with the appearance of a new variant. “The Omicron wave has made a huge difference in the Covid-19 pandemic cycle. First appearing almost two months ago in South Africa, this variant is now needed all over the world. In Morocco, Omicron now dominates with a prevalence of 80% of positive cases. Over the weeks, we have observed that even if this variant escapes vaccine protection a little, it could give a new status to the Covid-19 pandemic, transforming it into an endemic “, declares to the” Morning “, Pr Jaâfar Heikel , professor of epidemiology and specialist in infectious diseases. “Thanks to Omicron, it is very likely that Covid-19 will become an endemic disease with which we will have to live in the same way as the seasonal flu or tuberculosis. It will be necessary to monitor this pathology like all the others and to remain vigilant by adopting in particular the barrier gestures and by following the therapeutic protocol.
It will also be necessary to adapt the vaccination which plays an extremely important role not to stop the propagation of the disease, but to fight against the serious forms ”, recommends Pr Heikel. For his part, Dr Tayeb Hamdi, doctor, researcher in health policies and systems, believes that herd immunity, which will really slow down the spread of the virus and protect unvaccinated populations, cannot be achieved following the spread of Omicron. “Certainly, the meteoric spread of this variant around the world will help us get out of the pandemic, but that does not mean that we will be able to achieve collective immunity. We must forget this idea ”, slice Dr. Hamdi in a statement to“ Morning ”.
The latter also indicates that the virus will begin to circulate in a more limited manner without putting too much pressure on our health systems. “We will soon be able to get out of the context of the pandemic with its share of constraints prohibiting gatherings, travel … But for that, it is absolutely necessary to accelerate the rhythm of the vaccination, in particular the third dose, and to respect the barrier measures”, he insists. Our expert says that the Omicron variant is, of course, an opportunity that could allow us to see the end of the tunnel, but for that we must know how to seize it with wisdom.
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