UN Health Agency Urges Continued Measures to Stop Coronavirus Spread
2021-12-07
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1The World Health Organization (WHO) says measures to fight the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus should remain the basis for controlling the pandemic.
2But, the officials also said recent orders of travel restrictions by some countries may help slow the spread of Omicron,
3 a newer version of the virus.
4Many countries around the world have reported Omicron infections.
5Small numbers of cases have been reported outside of South Africa, where Omicron was first identified.
6Now, South Africa is facing a big increase in COVID-19 cases.
7The new variant is responsible for most new cases there.
8Omicron infections have since appeared in more than 35 countries.
9However, much remains unclear about the variant. It is unclear if it is more infectious.
10It also is not known whether it makes people sicker, or whether vaccines are less effective against it.
11Dr. Takeshi Kasai is the WHO director for the Western Pacific area.
12He told reporters last Friday: "Border control can delay the virus coming in and buy time."
13Kasai added that every country must prepare for an increase in cases.
14However, Kasai said there was good news too.
15"None of the information we have currently about omicron suggests we need to change the directions of our response," he said.
16WHO Regional Emergency Director Dr. Babatunde Olowokure said that means continuing to push for vaccinations rates,
17social-distancing and wearing face coverings.
18He added that health systems must make sure beds in intensive care areas of hospitals are available to meet increased need.
19Officials in several southern African countries have denounced restrictions on travelers from the area.
20They say they are being punished for officially reporting the new variant.
21Scientists are trying to learn more about Omicron.
22The WHO had already identified it as a variant of concern.
23Kasai said that is because of the number of its mutations and because early information suggests it may be more infectious than other variants.
24A few countries in the Western Pacific were facing surges that began before Omicron was identified.
25But COVID-19 cases and deaths in many others have decreased or remained unchanged, Kasai said.
26That could change.
27Among the places that have found the variant are Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
28It is likely to appear in more places.
29Omicron is of particular concern for organizers of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which start on February 4.
30A spokesperson for the organizing committee told reporters that China is putting in place a new series of measures to reduce the risk of virus spread during the Games.
31Chinese officials say they have put in place a zero-tolerance policy.
32The country has some of the world's most severe border controls.
33Those taking part in the Games, as workers or competitors, will have to stay inside a restricted area for the entire period they are involved.
34Only vaccinated people who live in China will be permitted to attend the two-week-long sports event.
35Around the world, cases have been increasing for about seven weeks and the number of deaths has started to rise again, too.
36The increase is mainly from the Delta variant and decreased use of protective measures, Kasai said.
37Kasai warned especially about the possibility of surges because of more gatherings and movements of people during the holiday season.
38The northern winter season will also likely bring infectious lung diseases, such as the flu, along with COVID-19.
39Kasai said the pandemic is far from over.
40"But my message today is that we can adapt...to better cope with the future surges and reduce their health, social and economic impacts," he said.
41I'm Caty Weaver. And I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.
1The World Health Organization (WHO) says measures to fight the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus should remain the basis for controlling the pandemic. But, the officials also said recent orders of travel restrictions by some countries may help slow the spread of Omicron, a newer version of the virus. 2Many countries around the world have reported Omicron infections. 3Small numbers of cases have been reported outside of South Africa, where Omicron was first identified. Now, South Africa is facing a big increase in COVID-19 cases. The new variant is responsible for most new cases there. 4Omicron infections have since appeared in more than 35 countries. 5However, much remains unclear about the variant. It is unclear if it is more infectious. It also is not known whether it makes people sicker, or whether vaccines are less effective against it. 6Dr. Takeshi Kasai is the WHO director for the Western Pacific area. He told reporters last Friday: "Border control can delay the virus coming in and buy time." 7Kasai added that every country must prepare for an increase in cases. 8However, Kasai said there was good news too. "None of the information we have currently about omicron suggests we need to change the directions of our response," he said. 9WHO Regional Emergency Director Dr. Babatunde Olowokure said that means continuing to push for vaccinations rates, social-distancing and wearing face coverings. 10He added that health systems must make sure beds in intensive care areas of hospitals are available to meet increased need. 11Question about Omicron 12Officials in several southern African countries have denounced restrictions on travelers from the area. They say they are being punished for officially reporting the new variant. 13Scientists are trying to learn more about Omicron. The WHO had already identified it as a variant of concern. Kasai said that is because of the number of its mutations and because early information suggests it may be more infectious than other variants. 14A few countries in the Western Pacific were facing surges that began before Omicron was identified. But COVID-19 cases and deaths in many others have decreased or remained unchanged, Kasai said. 15That could change. Among the places that have found the variant are Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. It is likely to appear in more places. 16Omicron is of particular concern for organizers of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which start on February 4. A spokesperson for the organizing committee told reporters that China is putting in place a new series of measures to reduce the risk of virus spread during the Games. 17Chinese officials say they have put in place a zero-tolerance policy. The country has some of the world's most severe border controls. Those taking part in the Games, as workers or competitors, will have to stay inside a restricted area for the entire period they are involved. Only vaccinated people who live in China will be permitted to attend the two-week-long sports event. 18Around the world, cases have been increasing for about seven weeks and the number of deaths has started to rise again, too. The increase is mainly from the Delta variant and decreased use of protective measures, Kasai said. 19Kasai warned especially about the possibility of surges because of more gatherings and movements of people during the holiday season. The northern winter season will also likely bring infectious lung diseases, such as the flu, along with COVID-19. 20Kasai said the pandemic is far from over. "But my message today is that we can adapt...to better cope with the future surges and reduce their health, social and economic impacts," he said. 21I'm Caty Weaver. And I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 22Jim Gomez reported this story for the Associated Press. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 23____________________________________________________ 24Words in This Story 25response -n. something that is done as a reaction to something else 26mutation -n. a change in the genes of a plant or animal that causes physical characteristics that are different from what is normal 27surge -n. a sudden, large increase 28zero-tolerance -n. a policy of giving the most severe punishment possible to every person who commits a crime or breaks a rule 29adapt -v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation 30cope -v. to deal with problems and difficult situations and try to come up with solutions 31We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.