GENEVA, Nov 29, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - While PCR tests can detect infection with
Omicron, studies are looking to whether the Covid-19 variant of concern has
any impact on other test types, the WHO said Sunday.

  "The widely-used PCR tests continue to detect infection, including
infection with Omicron, as we have seen with other variants," the World
Health Organization said in an update on what is known so far about the new
variant.

  "Studies are ongoing to determine whether there is any impact on other
types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests."

  The WHO on Friday declared Omicron, first detected earlier this month in
southern Africa, to be a variant of concern.

  The classification put Omicron into the most troubling category of Covid-19
variants, along with the globally dominant Delta, and its weaker rivals
Alpha, Beta and Gamma.

  Omicron spread across the globe on Sunday, shutting borders and renewing
curbs as the EU chief said governments faced a "race against time" to
understand the strain.

  The variant has cast doubt on global efforts to battle the pandemic due to
fears that it is highly infectious, forcing countries to reimpose measures
many had hoped were a thing of the past.

  In its update, the WHO said it was "not yet clear" whether Omicron spreads
more easily from person to person, or whether infection with the variant
causes more severe disease compared to other strains.

  "There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with
Omicron are different from those from other variants," the UN health agency
said.

  While preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of
people who previously had Covid being reinfected with Omicron, information is
currently limited.

  The WHO said it was working to understand the potential impact of the
variant on existing counter-measures, including vaccines.

  As for treatments, the organisation said corticosteroids and IL6 receptor
blockers would still be effective for managing patients with severe Covid-19
-- while other treatments would be assessed to see if they are still as
effective against Omicron.

  The WHO has said studies into various aspects of the new variant would take
several weeks to reach conclusions.

  "WHO is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the world to
better understand Omicron," it said.

  "More information will emerge in the coming days and weeks."