Fauci says U.S. ought to put together to do something to combat omicron variant

People have to be ready to do “something and all the pieces” to combat the omicron Covid variant, U.S. infectious illness knowledgeable Dr. Anthony Fauci stated Sunday.

Nonetheless, it is “too early to say” whether or not lockdowns or new mandates will likely be applicable, Fauci stated on ABC’s “This Week.”

The World Well being Group final week categorised omicron as a “variant of concern,” that means it’s extra contagious, extra virulent or extra expert at evading public well being measures, vaccines and therapeutics.

The variant, first found in South Africa, has a number of mutations to the spike protein that permits the virus to enter the physique, and a few of these mutations might result in elevated antibody resistance and transmissibility.

The U.S. had already stated it will prohibit journey for non-U.S. residents from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. The variant has been discovered within the U.Okay., Israel, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Australia and Hong Kong, however not but within the U.S.

“Inevitably, it will likely be right here. The query is will we be ready for it? If and when, and it is going to be when, it comes right here hopefully we will likely be prepared for it,” Fauci added.

Biotech corporations have sprung into motion to combat in opposition to omicron. Moderna’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton stated Sunday the vaccine maker might roll out a reformulated vaccine in opposition to the omicron coronavirus variant early subsequent yr. Though it isn’t clear whether or not new formulations will likely be wanted or if present vaccines will present applicable safety.

Fauci stated unvaccinated individuals ought to nonetheless get accessible Covid vaccinations, per the suggestions of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

“We simply actually need to, as I’ve stated so typically, put together for the worst. And it might not be that we will must go the route individuals are saying,” Fauci informed ABC. “We’ll make choices primarily based on the science and proof as we at all times do.”