Laos warns people against Omicron variant

Laos is on high alert for the new Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa on November 24, according to the country’s National Taskforce for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Laos is on high alert for the new Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa on November 24. (Photo: VNA)

According to a statement by the Taskforce on November 28, the new variant, also known as B1.1.529, could be much more transmissible than previous variants of the coronavirus.

The Laos Taskforce has urged residents to take extra precautions against COVID-19, saying that the variant could appear in the population at any time. It has also urged everyone to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the Taskforce says it will begin testing to see which variants are present among COVID-19 patients in Laos.

The government and relevant authorities will hold a meeting to discuss the Omicron variant and decide if new measures should be implemented in response to the threat.

The Health Ministry announced on November 29 that the country had recorded 929 new cases in all 18 provinces and cities and seven deaths over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of infections to 72,447, including 166 deaths.

On November 26, Laos approved a booster shot for medical staff working on the frontline to control the virus outbreak in case they have got the two full shots for at least five months./.

VNA