Japan designates Omicron as a variant of concern

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20211129_17/

Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases has designated Omicron as a variant of concern and is stepping up surveillance. The institute says no cases of the new variant of the coronavirus have been detected so far in Japan.

The World Health Organization classified Omicron as a variant of concern on Friday.

The institute says 30 mutations have been found in spike protein on the variant's surface, the highest among all the coronavirus variants that have been identified.

When the coronavirus enters human cells, the virus's spike protein is the first part to connect with them.

The institute also says the variant does not have a full set of genes.

It says there are strong concerns that the variant may be more contagious, make vaccines far less effective and raise the risk of reinfection.

But the institute says there is no data on experiments involving the new variant, and sufficient epidemiological information is not available.

It says this is why it needs to closely monitor whether the Omicron variant will influence the risk of infection in each age group, the chance of causing severe symptoms and the efficacy of vaccines.

Researchers are advising people to keep taking thorough precautions. They include avoiding the "Three Cs" -- closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings -- as well as wearing masks during conversations and washing hands.