The emergence of the Omicron variant of SARS-COV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) has caused global alarm. This variant was sequenced by South African scientists and made public on 24 November 2021. On receiving this news, the United Kingdom promptly banned travel to South Africa as well as 6 other southern African countries, and other countries quickly followed suit. This reaction was not supported by any scientific recommendations and has been damaging for South Africa, its economy, and its people.
The Spanish Scientists in South Africa (ACE) mobilised to release a press statement commending South Africa’s scientists and government and denouncing the travel bans as unjustified. ACE has called for solidarity with the country and strongly urges that actions be guided by correct information. Professor Xavier Gómez-Olivé, an epidemiologist and at the MRC/Wits-Agincourt Research Unit, has advanced this effort by participating in a series of interviews with international media in Catalonia, Spain, and Colombia in which he answered questions and gave correct updates on Covid-19 in South Africa.
In these interviews, Professor Gómez-Olivé points out that while the new variant was sequenced by South African scientists the origins have not been determined. He’s said that travel bans will not succeed at controlling Omicron as this variant has also been detected in many other countries. He cautioned that this example of stigmatisation may discourage governments from disclosing information when future variants are discovered.
Professor Gómez-Olivé shared that South Africa has vaccines and 35% of the population is fully vaccinated – the aim is for 75% coverage. But, with that target not yet met, mask-adherence remains mandatory along with a host of other non-pharmaceutical interventions and Covid-19 regulations, such as clearly defined limitations on the number of people permitted to gather at indoor or outdoor events.
Professor Gómez-Olivé took the opportunity to bring attention to the difficulty Africa has had accessing vaccines and added that little is known about how rural areas are coping with Covid-19. He stressed the importance of including Africa in the effort of getting worldwide vaccine coverage.
Please click the links to watch or read Professor Xavier Gómez-Olivé’s interviews.
Television interviews
- Ortega V. 29 November 2021. Xavier Gómez-Olivé, epidemiologist in South Africa: “The Omicron variant is very infectious but mild”. Antenna 3.
- Planta Baixa. 29 November 2021. Xavier Gómez-Olivé Casas: “The cases of the Omicron variant in South Africa are in young people and are mild”. CCMA TV 3.
- Simon L. 30 November 2021. This is the profile of those infected with the Omicron variant in South Africa: Young people with mild symptoms. Antenna 3.
- The Ana Rosa Program. 1 December 2021. A Spanish epidemiologist in South Africa, on omicron: “There is no related death, the alarm that exists has no scientific basis”. Telecinco.
- Planta Baixa. 5 December 2021. Xavier Gómez-Olivé Casas, epidemiologist at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa). CCMA TV 3.
Written interviews or interviews with transcripts
- Basté J. 29 November 2021. Catalan epidemiologist in South Africa: “Hospitalizations and deaths have not increased”. RAC 1.
- Babler O. 30 November 2021. Xavier Gómez-Olivé: “Those who discover a variant will think twice before saying so”. Vilaweb.
- The Ana Rosa Program. 1 December 2021. A Spanish epidemiologist in South Africa, on omicron: “There is no related death, the alarm that exists has no scientific basis”. Telecinco.
Radio interviews
- Basté J. 29 November 2021. Catalan epidemiologist in South Africa: “Hospitalizations and deaths have not increased”. RAC 1.
- La Tertulia. 30 November 2021. Radio interview with Professor Xavier Gómez-Olivé. RCN Radio (Radio Cadena Nacional)
- PlaySER. 01 December 2021. INTERVIEW Xavier Gómez Olivé (epidemiologist is a professor associate at the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg (South Africa). PlaySER.
- RNE’S Mornings with Ínigo Alfonso. 08 December 2021. Gómez-Olivé: “The alarm for Ómicron did not make any sense”. Play Radio.
- Díaz M. 9 December 2021. The alarm for the omicron variant has no scientific basis. Onda Cero.
Press release
- Cientificos Espanoles En Sudafrica (ACE). 30 November 2021. ACE Sudáfrica fully supports the South African society and scientific community as an example of transparency and international solidarity.
