OREANDA-NEWS. The new Omicron coronavirus strain may account for more than half of all COVID-19 cases in the European Union in the coming months. This was announced on Thursday, December 2, by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

“Based on mathematical modeling conducted by the ECDC, there are indications that Omicron may cause more than half of all SARS-CoV-2 infections in the EU / EEA over the next several months,” the publication on the center's website says.

The ECDC is convinced that strengthening contact tracing measures can prevent the spread of the new variant of the virus.

The release also emphasizes that the imposed travel restrictions must be carefully considered, taking into account the current epidemiological situation and periodically revised as new data becomes available. Among such measures, in particular, testing and quarantine for tourists who have recently arrived from countries where the "omicron" has been identified.

Earlier that day, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, suggested that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus could spread faster than other strains of coronavirus. At the same time, she pointed out that there is still no data on its effect on the severe course of the disease.

At the same time, the head of Rospotrebnadzor assured that no cases of infection with Omicron were detected in Russia. She also said Russia has introduced a two-week quarantine for arrivals from a number of African countries, including South Africa.