Ruminations: Omicron? Take a Deep Breath and Carry On -- With Boosters

"[Within weeks Omicron will dominate in more countries of the region], pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink."
Hans Kluge, European head, World Health Organization

"It [large public event restrictions following Christmas] will also mean unfortunately that large scale Hogmanay [traditional Scottish New Year events] celebrations, including that planned here in our capital city [Edinburgh], will not proceed."
Nicola Sturgeon, first minister, Scotland

"Even if measures [in response to the Omicron variant] are introduced immediately, there may not be time to fully ascertain whether they are sufficient before decisions are needed on further action."
"The situation could develop quickly over the coming weeks and decision-makers may need to act while there is still a high level of uncertainty including considering the potential need for stringent response measures."
Sage COVID advisory committee, United Kingdom

"The honest truth is that the booster programme, which I think will work, is not going to work soon enough if there is a big wave here soon. It takes time to get them into people and it takes time for them to make an immune response."
"We need to buy time. If in three weeks it’s died out, then fine, we can all relax, but right now is the time when you could prevent there being a big wave. The more people can work from home now the better, until we are more definite about what’s going to happen."
Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics, University of Bristol, member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, U.K.

Bipartisan members of the U.S. House and Senate hold a moment of silence for 800,000 American lives lost to COVID-19 on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. (J. Scott Applewhite/The Associated Press)

Israel is set to become the first country in the world to provide fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine to people over age 60, in reaction to national concerns over the viral spread of the Omicron variant. A fourth dose was recommended by the country's Health Ministry, the decision welcomed by the government, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett saying it was "great news that will help us overcome the Omicron wave that is spreading around the world."

"My message is -- don't waste time, go get vaccinated", the Israeli prime minister urged the population. The Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba spoke of a notice that a 60 year-old man had died weeks after being admitted to the coronavirus ward. A patient that suffered from a variety of COVID-unrelated serious illnesses. "His morbidity stemmed mainly from pre-existing sicknesses and not from respiratory inspection arising from the coronavirus", the hospital clarified. Nonetheless, initial news of the death had attributed it to Omicron, while it turned out Delta was the culprit.

Similarly the Texas Department of State Health in the United States also reported at roughly the same time, the first Omicron death to have taken place, in Harris County. A conservative commentator with a huge following had tweeted the man was fully vaccinated and had in fact also received a booster shot.

Evidently not: "The death reported this afternoon was of a man between the ages of 50-60 years old who was unvaccinated and had been infected with COVID-19 previously. The individual was at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19 due to his unvaccinated status and his underlying health conditions", came the corrected update from Harris County Public Health.

Germany, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and South Korea have reimposed partial or full lockdowns along with other modes of social distancing measures recently, among many other countries experiencing a swift incursion of the Omicron variant. Nightclubs and bars have been ordered to close in Portugal, people told to work from home.

In Italy a COVID state of emergency has been extended to March 31, the government ruling that all EU member-country visitors must have a test taken before arrival, requirements reflected for many non-EU countries. In France, tightening controls for travellers from Britain are being contemplated, despite that visitors must show a negative test less than 48 hours old, currently.