quad -- overtake delta? >> it would take a really big gorilla in the room to overcome delta. delta, when it started was just a few cases, and it outcompeted every other variant, including a variant that was the dominant strain in peru that we were really worried about several months ago, now we don't talk about it because it could not compete with delta. it's very interesting, i don't know whether omicron, with all these changes it has made, whether it will be capable of out competing delta. again, we talked about earlier, it spreading in south africa where there is not much delta. >> james has a question, he says omicron seems to have 59 mutations, how many did the first variant have? >> what we call the strain is what we compare everything to. in the first few variance you are seeing new changes roughly every month, so you might see a variant like alfaro with 6, 8, 12 different changes. so we don't see a lot of genetic changes for these previous ones. that's one of the things that are very alarming. all of

with the delta variant first appearing on the scene _ delta variant first appearing on the scene |_ deltavariant first appearing on the scene. .,, .~ _ delta variant first appearing on the scene. , _ ., ., scene. i was struck by a quote here that's not attributed _ scene. i was struck by a quote here that's not attributed to _ scene. i was struck by a quote here that's not attributed to anyone - that's not attributed to anyone specific, but it said that ministers might introduce measures within days if the data pointed to the need for a tougher response. clearly there is pressure from nicola sturgeon, for mark drakeford to be tougher. belfast is taking a similar approach to london at the moment, otherwise saying they are reinforcing the preference of working from home, but it's not a requirement. so far plan b they are holding off on in england — but presumably no one wants to cancel christmas, so if they have to go a bit further to do that, presumably they will cancelo absolutely, and after what happened last year with the delta variant, it became clear that the government didn't act fas

at the moment delta is dominant across the moment delta is dominant across the whole of the world. be stronger and take over, where delta is. it is worth remembering we have had quite a lot of interesting delta plus variance which looked as though they were a little bit more infectious than the original delta, but they have never been able to take over where delta is the dominant one. we don't know what is going to happen with it in that respect, we have to wait and see. i5 with it in that respect, we have to wait and see-— wait and see. is it more transmissible, - wait and see. is it more transmissible, which i wait and see. is it more transmissible, which it| wait and see. is it more - transmissible, which it does wait and see. is it more _ transmissible, which it does appear to be, but also is it more dangerous in terms of does it make you more ale and increase the risk of death? i don't think we know that for sure. what we do know as it is a... way the changes have come in the spike protein, they are some of the ones we have noted in this 0micron, it is the same as what we have

delta, not just when it arrived also now, 50,000 - is that the delta, not just when it arrived alsoarrived also now, 50,000 new infections, _ arrived also now, 50,000 new infections, which are edging back upwards— infections, which are edging back upwards again. quite a large number, when _ upwards again. quite a large number, when you _ upwards again. quite a large number, when you look at what's happening in euroue, _ when you look at what's happening in europe, infections are going up very rapidly— europe, infections are going up very rapidly in _ europe, infections are going up very rapidly in many countries, lockdowns going _ rapidly in many countries, lockdowns going on. _ rapidly in many countries, lockdowns going on. so— rapidly in many countries, lockdowns going on, so immediate problem is the delta _ going on, so immediate problem is the delta variant and then the spread — the delta variant and then the spread of what is already with us. the looming problem is this new variant_ the looming problem is this new variant that has arrived and indicated _ variant that has arrive

>> i think after we get through this delta wave, on the back end of this delta wave you will see prevalence very low in the country. you look at whose happening in the south, seven, eight cases after the delta variant swept through that part of the country. they paid a very high price for it in terms of infection, but i think after the delta virus moves through different parts of the country-- and it's moving through the country right now-- in another month, two months, we will be on the back end and prevalence will be very low and local communities will lift the restriction positive someplace are already lifting them, but i think schools will be the last places we lift some of those estrictions. the uptake on the 5-11 vaccine is very brisk, and i suspect uptick will be better than 12 to 17. right now, cvs is scheduled to deliver more than one million vaccines to kids ages 5-11 today. so i think you're going to see broad immunity get put into the childhood population. now, there won't be mandates on vaccines for kids for a very long time. i don't see that happening for years, but i do think

this is the statement from delta. it says we'll continue working closely with our government partners to evaluate any changes to u.s. travel policy. big gut punch to the travel industry right now. not even three weeks ago that travel opened up for fully vaccinated foreign nationals coming into the united states. this shows how quickly things can change in this new pandemic era, jessica. >> right. the change is constant, pete. thanks so much. >>> and let me bring in dr. abdul al zaid, an epidemiologist and former detroit health commissioner. thanks for being with us. first, i want to get your reaction. we're learning moments ago that the w.h.o. has named this variant omacron considering it a variant of earn can. elizabeth walked us through a little bit what that means. as an epidemiologist, what do you think it means? >> it really is quite concerning. how fast that it's enriching, meaning how fast it's taking up space among all of the pantheon of variants and the fact that then riching faster than we saw delta enriched

, this is not delta. it's something different. and these mutations have been associated with increased transmissibility and immune evasion while other mutations have not yet been characterized as their functional capability. next slide. so let's take a look at what we're looking at and then we'll get back to some of the properties. so the c.d.c. -- and you'll hear from dr. walensky -- is implementing their surveillance program. we have ongoing communitication multiple times and information sharing between our scientists and public health officials and the south african government. and kudos to them for their helpful and transparent information sharing between us. so the in vitro neutralization data with vaccine sera, convalescent mrasa, mono cloenl -- plasma, monoclonaal anti-bodes and oral anti-viral treatments anticipated in two to four weeks. that's when they get to individual investigators at the c.d.c., the n.i.h. and other countries for them to prepare that to be able to make a determination. pendin

they haven't been this worried since they saw the delta. ok if it's worse than the delta of air. and if it's stronger than the delta variance could a push back be as simple as have a 4th or 5th, or even a fixed vaccine because there are areas, there are regions in the world where i'm sitting in the middle east is one of them . there are regions in the world where people have already had the 2 main vaccines, but it's called a booster vaccine. number 3, it's not actually a booster. it's another fool vaccine. that's right, and i think 1st of all, i think the booster shot is more important than ever because, you know, after the 2 doses of the pfizer, people have average 700 level antibodies. after the 3rd shot, you have over 200222500. 2 booster is i would say the most critical shot of the theory. and that's why many people all need it. and israel has been able to hold back in the way recently because of the national rollout. the boosters and the u. k. success is also partly because of the booster, but the booster can only go star flo far but we but having the booster definitely will

i well, they did put us on the red list with the delta variant.- list with the delta variant.t. i was thinking more _ list with the delta variant. i was thinking more with _ list with the delta variant. i was thinking more with india - list with the delta variant. i was thinking more with india where l list with the delta variant. i was thinking more with india where it was first i then fired. do you see my point? i was first i then fired. do you see my point?— my point? i see the correlation between- _ my point? i see the correlation between- we _ my point? i see the correlation between. we have _ my point? i see the correlation between. we have had - my point? i see the correlation between. we have had very - my point? i see the correlation l between. we have had very good relations and we expected there would be a continuation of the enquiry on this matter because we are caught between the dictates of what the situation would require which is to report when we find something as dangerous as this one is. we would have expected some kind of consultation around the matter and

it may be this new winter wave of delta. how much of that do you think really is already sort of baked in, or are we going to see more days like friday? >> so you could see the volatility here for a while, especially in the covid and variants remain part of the story. but there is something that traders and investors are keeping a close eye on, and it's something that, steph, you just mentioned. it's how the volatility has actually developed over the course of the pandemic. one of the observations is being made is how the stock run to record highs from the depths of the pandemic last year, the market downturns whenever there's been some kind of new news on variants or new data on possible impacts on the economy, those have been less severe. we did get scary headlines, economic concerns, but even as we got those reports, the market reacted but only ended up falling by 3 to 4% and ended up making new record highs in a week or so right after each pullback, so the big wild card is how the information we have on omicron or lack t

they have not been this worried since the delta variant a. if it is worse than the delta variant could a pushback be as simple as after a fourth or fifth or sixth the vaccine? there are regions in the world where people have already had the 2 made vaccines, but it is called a booster vaccine, it is not actually a booster, it is in wonderful vaccine. >> i think at the booster shot is more important than ever. after 2 doses of the pfizer people average 700 level antibodies. after the third shot you have over 2500. the booster is the most critical shot of the series. that is why many people need it, and israel has been able to hold back the wave recently because of the boosters, and at the u.k. success is also partly because of the booster, but the booster can only go so far. having the booster will protect you to some degree. the issue is will they be enough. i would warn those who think i am previously infected, i have natural immunity, that is not enough. that tubing wanes over six months -- too wanes over six a month and the protection is on

and again morgan stanley said omicron will become the new delta. delta is basically covid at this point, or believe was, they believe omicron will become it and probably something after that you said buying opportunities, were you and your clients buyers on friday, yesterday, were you buyers long-term on any weakness in this equity market? >> i think we're under -- there are several areas we're focussing. first of all, you know, the market's been extremely strong, expected earnings have changed on the street about 23% this year if you look at the s&p, that's about what it's grown this year. so the multiple's been high all year but it hasn't expanded. it has been fundamentally based. so when we get these dips like this on fear, it's a great time to buy energy. it's a great time to buy banks, which have been trading at a discount to the rest of the market, and it's a great time to buy consumer staples where you can get some really good deals >> you're a buyer of energy, even with oil prices falling, you think it's a long-term, a positive bet >> absol

to the delta variant last year?n _ circumstances have changed so much that we can be — circumstances have changed so much that we can be less— circumstances have changed so much that we can be less concerned - circumstances have changed so much that we can be less concerned than . that we can be less concerned than at this— that we can be less concerned than at this time — that we can be less concerned than at this time last _ that we can be less concerned than at this time last year? _ that we can be less concerned than at this time last year? can - that we can be less concerned than at this time last year? can you - at this time last year? can you appreciate _ at this time last year? can you appreciate that _ at this time last year? can you appreciate that given - at this time last year? can you appreciate that given how - at this time last year? can you i appreciate that given how rapidly things— appreciate that given how rapidly things developed _ appreciate that given how rapidly things developed last _ appreci

if you remember with delta, before delta, with the alpha variant as we called it, we were 95% protected. with the delta it dropped down to 70, although it was high 90s to protect from serious illness, hospitalizations or death. similar things may happen with the omicron variant. it will pro sect us from serious illnesses, but if you get the becauser that is the best protection. now get that. >> has omicron reached the u.s., do you believe? >>et data is not showing it in the united states. we think it's here. we are just not detecting it. they are finding it in countries around the world. south africa reported it. it's almost like the horse got out of the barn when the barn door was closed. it's out there. it's spreading to other countries. if it's as contagious as we think it is it might become the dominant variant. we think it's in the u.s. just have not detected it. don't be surprised in the next few days it's here. that's expected. >> what precautions can americans take especially in the holiday season? travel has picked up since last year. getting the booster, getting vaccinated, an

through the delta, it 80an taking that drive on any of the roads the branch off of to the delta, planibility down to 3/10 of a mitral. the dense fog advisory stays in effect until 10:00 this morning. as we check in on the south bay, it does technically include the city. we are doing okay in most locations. how well the fog behave over the next few hours? you can see how was got the entire corridor covered. when you get down into the south bay it is foggy as well. there is 8:00 a.m. and the fog is still around. by 11:00 it has disappeared and cleared out for most places. it will be a sunny day with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s for many of us. redwood city, 73. 72, mountain view. if you're wondering what happened to the rain, there it is. it's going well up to the north right now. as we look across the seven day forecast, no rain. maybe a few clouds and maybe as we get toward thursday and friday, clouds will increase but no real rain. san jose will cool down to the mid-60s by next week. you really see that with those microclimates. it will be near 80 today for thos

that in the sense that — the delta, i understand that in the sense that the delta variant obviouslyhe dominant strain within the — obviously is the dominant strain within the uk, and we don't have enough _ within the uk, and we don't have enough information about this new strain, _ enough information about this new strain, hut— enough information about this new strain, but coronavirus is coronavirus. whether it mutates into something _ coronavirus. whether it mutates into something new or not, and if this new variant — something new or not, and if this new variant become something that is more worrying, the restrictions are likely— more worrying, the restrictions are likely to _ more worrying, the restrictions are likely to he — more worrying, the restrictions are likely to be similar whether it is delta _ likely to be similar whether it is delta or— likely to be similar whether it is delta or whether it is this new variant — delta or whether it is this new variant so _ delta or whether it is this new variant. so i think that it is really— variant. so i think that it is really impor

if it's not as successful as delta variance, it's not going to succeed because delta varying has, has become the global dominant strain. but if something is faster, bigger, stronger, in many ways, and more basis, more importantly, then that is what the variance could succeed among those parts of the world where we have a lots of axes and lots of people who've been previously, in fact, 2 adults very and have developed natural immunity to the delta variance, but that to the delta, not to this be 115 to 9 new area. that's why the, the big worry is that this could be worse than delta, and that's what a lot of scientists urban thinks they have been this worried since they saw the delta care. the deputy head of sedans governing council has told al jazeera that last month, military takeover was the best option to stop what was a spiraling crisis. gentleman hummed on day glo, also known as him, and he says they discussed it with all parties, including the detained prime minister, who he says was on board of della ham dock. has since been reinstated by the generals in a new power sharing deal

we had delta. it has been brutal.ow we have this new variant that has entered europe with one confirmed case in belgium. that person traveling in from egypt. the european commission president ursula von der leyen saying now is the time to respond. >> the european commission has today proposed member states to activate the emergency brake on travel from countries in southern africa and other countries affected to limit the spread of the new variant. all air travel to these countries should be suspended. i have spoken about the situation today with scientists and vaccine manufacturers. they fully support such precautionary measures. guy: that was ursula von der leyen and speaking a little earlier on. we are joined by sam fazeli of bloomberg intelligence and scott rudin stein, eurasia group senior public advisor. scott, let me start with you. has the horse bolted? are we trying to close the stable door after it affairs -- after to peers to be disappearing into the distance? this was sequenced back at the beginning of nov

the delta variant, first detected in india, was even more transmissible.is currently the dominant strain worldwide. on paper, the new variant looks worrying, with twice the number of mutations found than delta. around 30 of these are the spike protein, the key the virus uses to unlock our cells, and these chges may help it evade our bodies' defenses, but so far, we don't know if the variant causes more severe disease, if vaccines will be less effective or drugs will not work. it is the sheer number and type of mutations that has scientists here troubled. >> some of them have never been seen in a combination like this before. many we have seen in various variants of concern so far, but it is the complexity of mutations that we are seeing today and the effects it may have on the immune response and transmissibility that are of concern. >> with belgium recording europe's first case of the omicron variant, the european commission in brussels called for a suspension of air travel to affected african countries. >> we do know that mutations could lead to the emer

as the delta variant, it's not going to succeed. because delta barry has, has become the global dominant strength. but if something is faster, bigger, stronger, in many ways, and more basis, more importantly, then that is what the variance could succeed among those parts of the world. where we have a lots of axes and lots of people who've been previously infected without varying and have developed natural immunity to the delta variant. but that to the delta, not to this be 115 to $9.00 new areas. that's why the, the big worry is that this could be worse than delta, and that's what a lot of scientists urban thing. they have been this worried since they saw the delta. the checked government has declared a state of emergency in response to searching infections. there the new measures include forcing restaurants, bars and clubs to close at 10 p. m. hospitals operating scheduled surgeries or procedures on hold as could be 900 patients fill more beds. and a corona virus infection has put the check president back in hospital just hours aft

we saw with the delta variant that within i with the delta variant that within three _ with the deltahree weeks, 53 countries were reporting — three weeks, 53 countries were reporting cases of the delta variant, _ reporting cases of the delta variant, so stop stopping —— so stopping — variant, so stop stopping —— so stopping travel from one country or a small_ stopping travel from one country or a small group of countries very soon becomes_ a small group of countries very soon becomes superfluous. it�*s a small group of countries very soon becomes superfluous.— becomes superfluous. it's really not the solution- _ becomes superfluous. it's really not the solution. but _ becomes superfluous. it's really not the solution. but could _ becomes superfluous. it's really not the solution. but could there - becomes superfluous. it's really not the solution. but could there be - becomes superfluous. it's really not| the solution. but could there be one upside to the arrival of this new variant? in recent months, south africa's vaccine roll—out has slowed down. it is the same in other south afri

people who choose not to get vaccinate read probably going to get infected by this delta variant, asand widespread deployment of the tools now available. the oral antiviral drugs that people should have available in the first quarter, including one drug i'm on the board of pfizer. clth the vaccination for children. we now have the tools to get this under control. covid is not going away. this is going to be an endemic virus that stays with us, a lot like the flu. we may have to get vaccinated for this on an annual basis. this is not going to be sort of the pervasive risk its now that dominates our lives and dominates the economy. but there are still some parts of the country that haven't had the delta variant that unfortunately are going to be hit pretty hard, especially the unvaccinated or undervaccinated parts of the country, like the southwest, or certain states around want great lakes. there's a question of what happens in the tristate region and the mid-atlantic. so far they're not seeing the big upticks. i think there is still some risk for that parent of the country as well. >

how does it compare to the delta variant? >> there are two questions about how it compares to delta. one, the delta variant has been the dominant strain since the beginning of march, because that is when it arose in india. in-n-out is may be more transmissible than delta, but we need more data before we say that for sure. in the delta variant has 11 mutations across its spike protein, and omicron has something like 32 . it does have more mutations across the spike protein, but it does look like the vaccines work well against the omicron . if we have time to go into it, it has to do with the immune system, and how our b and t cells work. even if you have 32 notations, they are still going to work. >> we need to clarify that. a lot of people worked up and said there is a scary mutation, i just got my booster, and my children are getting vaccinated. how worried should we be if you have a whole family vaccinated? >> if you are fully vaccinated, you should not be worried. three reasons why, number one, those who were fully vaccina

you can be sure _ saw with the delta variant? you can be sure it — saw with the delta variant?iant? ym. can be sure it is already here. it is in every european country, so you are not going to really be able to keep it completely limited to a number, a small number of cases, so it will go up. however, you want to close the import of cases as much as you can, and that is why i can understand a short—term travel ban, however, when you do that, you have to acknowledge that this is really unfair to a country with superb laboratories and superb virologist who discovered this strain quite rapidly. they are completely transparent and honest about it, that is not that way to deal with that. if we have a travel ban, i would suggest that they have the most vaccines, because developed countries, half of the population is vaccinated, but when you go and look at the developing world, and africa, less than 6% of the population is vaccinated, so i travel ban yes, and in the meantime, certain vaccines.— yes, and in the meantime, certain vaccines. our thanks to ou. three people have died, as st

this is not delta, which took over as the dominant variant in the u.s. in a matter of weeks, is more contagious, leads to more serious disease. what are you seeing early on in terms of what we know about omicron and how is that influencing your reaction to it? >> well, first of all, we have no evidence that omicron is more severe. i would love to believe that south african doctor, but, remember, the patients that were treated there were primarily young patients, college-aged patients and we really don't know how omicron is going to affect the elderly or those who have chronic conditions. so we have no evidence that it is worse, but i don't want people to assume it is just mild and we can blow this off. we need to be concerned as president biden said. and, again, it is likely here already. we don't see it taking over. it doesn't mean that it won't. but, you know, we need to remain calm. there are things we can do, get vaccinated, get boosted, get tests at home, make sure your elderly are protected. wear a mask when appropriate for you. and, again, very im

but with the delta vary advisin: individuals. but with the delta vary advising and _ individuals. delta vary advising and just 58% _ individuals. but with the delta vary advising and just 58% of _ individuals. but with the delta vary advising and just 5896 of the - individuals. but with the delta varyl advising and just 5896 of the country advising and just 58% of the country vaccinated, he has changed his strategy. all federal workers and contractors were ordered to have the jab by december eight together with workers from private employers with 100 or more on their payroll. that will be tested for coronavirus weekly but it has not, that protest. the president's instruction covers 100 million people on two thirds of the workforce. circulated by the occupational safety and health administration the order has now been stalled by the courts. the resonse been stalled by the courts. the response that _ been stalled by the courts. the response that is _ been stalled by the courts. tie response that is coming from been stalled by the courts. tij: response that is coming from the petitio

i don't see omicron totally outcompeting delta.t vaccinated, i think the biggest threat is the delta variant by far. that's going to continue. but the reason why omicron could gain some foot hold, we have a lot of partially immunized people. if you've been infected and recovered but not gotten vaccinated on top of that, i think you're going to be very susceptible to omicron reinfection. we've seen a fair number of reinfections in south africa. so that's going to be the role of omicron, i think, causing reinfection in people who have been infected and recovered but not vaccinated or maybe among the partially vaccinated, meaning they got one dose but didn't complete the series. the big unknown is what happens to those of us who got three doses. i don't have the answer. we're working on it in our lab, as i'm sure moderna and pfizer is. i think it may not be so terrible. i think we'll see a drop in protection, but i'm more optimistic than the moderna ceo, at least in his statement, that we may not need that specific designed booster fo

that wasn't the case with delta. there was no difference in time after vaccination for delta versus other variance. it was just more transmissible. what we are concerned out is a mutation that happens in the virus where the immune system doesn't recognize that variant. i don't think it's likely. that's the concern that more variance could emerge. host: why do you think it's not likely? guest: one reason, these variants happen sporadically. the outer portion of the virus, that spike protein that immunity is based against, we have a pretty good response with the vaccines. secondly, what we've seen with the booster shots is the immunity is pretty broad. it not only gets the alpha variant and the delta variant, it's giving some protection against the coronaviruses we saw years ago like the original sars virus and mers. even though people were never exposed to that. i'm feeling reasonably good that it's unlikely. it's unlikely a new variant will emerge that totally evades our immune system. what we have to watch for is wh

delta, not to this be 115 to $9.00 new areas. that's why the, the big worry is that this could be worse than delta, and that's what a lot of scientists urban thing. they have been this worried since they thought it doesn't mean all the check government has declared a state of emergency in response to surging infections. that the new measures include forcing restaurants, bars and clubs to close at 10 pm. hospitals are putting scheduled surgeries and procedures on hold that's covered 900 patients fill more beds. and a corona virus infection has put the check president back in hospital just hours after his release from a 6 week long stay. 77 year old me losses him. and i had to cancel a meeting, which was to officially appoint the new prime minister efforts to finalize a new government line up after recent elections have been delayed by the amount of treatment for a chronic illness, which hasn't been publicly named. and slovakia has got into a 2 week locked down. people can only leave home for buying essentially or if they have to g

we have 44 people who has delta variant. however, going back to outside football, where did that come from? there was a study last year, just published, that literally some researchers watched football games in settings of high community transmission, no vaccines available yet. they analyzed exactly what the football players were doing, how long they spent in contact, how long they spent within time of each other, and there was zero, zero transmission outside of football players in this large study, which i'll send for your readers. so that was a powerful study that shows the outdoor activities are very safe. you're right that, of course, inside activities are where things can happen, which is why those football players were likely masking insight because that was the recommendation at the time. but there was zero transmission outside, zero. kristen: thank you for all your thoughts on that topic. i also want to move on to boosters because people are even more confused now than ever about whether they're eligible for boosters

the delta variant, i we know that about half of pregnant women have severe infections with the deltare that was only a quarter. so it is significantly worse.— that was only a quarter. so it is significantly worse. thank you very much indeed- _ significantly worse. thank you very much indeed. thank _ significantly worse. thank you very much indeed. thank you _ significantly worse. thank you very much indeed. thank you for - significantly worse. thank you very much indeed. thank you for your i much indeed. thank you for your time. . ~' ,, a senior uk medical adviser has said we could face a "difficult winter" unless more people get their covid boosterjabs. dr susan hopkins told the bbc that a growing number of elderly and vulnerable people who'd been double—vaccinated were being hospitalised, and dying with the virus, because their immunity was decreasing. alison freeman reports. if you would like to come through. it's being called a national mission. the government says it is down to all of us to do our part to stop winter restrictions being put in place by getting our boosterjabs. wi

this suggests it may pose more of a risk than the delta variance, which is dr.

and as the deadly delta i continues to spread. are we in a fifth wave?well, we certainly have the potential to go into a fifth wave, and the fifth wave, or the magnitude of any increase, if you want to call it that, it will turn into a wave, will really be dependent upon what we do in the next few weeks to a couple of months. for example, we have now about 62 million people in the country who are eligible to be vaccinated who have not yet gotten vaccinated. superimposed upon that, the fact that unquestionably the people who got vaccinated six, seven, eight, nine, 10 months ago, we're starting to see an understandable diminution in the level of immunity. it's called waning immunity. and it was seen more emphatically in other countries before we saw it here. for example, israel, which is usually about a month or a month and a half ahead of us temporally, with regard to the dynamics of the outbreak, the administration of vaccines, and most recently boosters. so now we know that although the vaccines are very effective, and the data that you look at are inco

the others were delta.ow on september 23, they started to include those tests we are presuming it was this variant. they were starting to bake in to totals positive antigen tests. that is also part of what they are seeing the question is when did they start circulating it is a distinct possibility, which means it is already here in the united states and we'll start to see it this week. >> the thing is, the symptoms are milder from what we've seen in the past. can we take solace in that >> i think we'll determine this week, if it is highly prevalent and haven't seen a spike that might be rea shuring. there is an up tick in hospitalizations where this is being identified i think they are experiencing the surge as well. they had a rapid decline and reopened like the uk, they are seeing an uptick in delta cases. this would be the omicron variant. >> wanting to understand the distinction between the vaccines and the therapeutics coming out in terms of these pills and how you think they will work or not work in t

all of this, these 3 are actually delta or it's not just one strain of delta. there are 3 prominent ones. and on you, on, on the current is just this small one over here. there is still so much for us to learn about that while in the grand scheme of things, small variance, someone who can explain this in a lot more detail and with a lot more. kudos behind here is dr. caitlin jet. alina is an assistant professor of epidemiology with the school of public health at the university of texas health science center in houston. thank you so much for your time, dr. what i've tried to point out there in my own ways that we just don't know enough and that is, that is a problem, isn't it? because we don't know enough now. and even the w h, i was saying, well, we'll know more in a couple of weeks time, so let's not panic yet. but i guess countries are worried about losing 2 weeks. they are not getting a jump on this thing. yeah, i understand the worry bay. good science takes time. we have to engineer this fires. we have to let it grow in the lab in order to test it against h

but that to the delta, not to this be 115 to $9.00 new areas. that's why the, the big worry is that this could be worse than delta. and that's what a lot of scientists urban thing. they have been this worried since they thought that the deputy head of sedans governing council has toll down to 0. that last month, miller to take over was the best option to stop what was a spiraling crisis. gentleman, how many hum down dead glow, also known as him. and he says they discussed it with all parties, including the detained prime minister, who he says was on board. the dock has since been reinstated by the generals in the new power sharing deal comes in hitting over here. what's happened on october 25th was the ultimate outcome of a long process since the change started in sudan during such process, many discussions were made. and many initiatives were proposed by various parties, the prime minister himself proposed to initiative. and during our meetings and the transitional partners council or the sovereignty council, with the cabinet of ministers, we m

the delta variant is dominant— europe? the delta variant is dominant around _ europe?ant is dominant around most of. europe? the delta variant is| dominant around most of the europe? the delta variant is - dominant around most of the world at the minute. there are a few exceptions but it has outcompeted the other variants. but europe is a very mixed picture. some parts of europe are doing very well, and they have shown that if you don't rely purely on the vaccine, you do need to get vaccination rates up high, but if you look at a vaccination plus strategy like spain or portugal, you can control the delta variant. you just need to add a few more things in as well as getting a high vaccine uptake.— more things in as well as getting a high vaccine uptake. where does this leave us? because _ high vaccine uptake. where does this leave us? because we _ high vaccine uptake. where does this leave us? because we saw _ high vaccine uptake. where does this| leave us? because we saw something of a surge in cases, but then it seemed to plateau, and we didn't see massive variations

i they did put us on the red list with the delta virus.— they did put us on the red list with the delta india when _ the delta virus. i was thinking more with india when it _ the delta virus. i was thinking more with india when it was _ the delta virus. i was thinking more with india when it was first - with india when it was first identified, do you see my point? yes, i see. identified, do you see my point? yes, isee. howeverwe've identified, do you see my point? yes, isee. however we've had identified, do you see my point? yes, i see. however we've had very good relations and we would never have expected there would be a continuation of an enquiry about this matter. we are caught between the dictates of what the situation would require that we do is report when you find something that is as dangerous as this. we would expect some sort of consultation around this matter and thereafter perhaps we would mutually agree on how to get out of it or how to deal with it. but to find ourselves waking up to being red listed is on the way we'd expect the british to behave towards us. i we'd expec

however, the delta variant very much terminated. so what needs to happen?ll not be much use in the medium term. what we need to do, yes, is impose some sort of expectations to and from the country, ensure that basically before they depart the country, and perhaps when they arrive in the country where they are traveling too, but imposing a blanket ban on a handful of countries is extreme to believe that that is going to prevent the spread of the virus. >> briefly, do you believe the situation would be different if the vaccine rates in south africa was a lot higher? am i right in saying only about 35% of the population is fully vaccinated? >> the percentage of the population fully vaccinated is quite low. but at the end of the day, it is not just about vaccines. we experience ongoing situations with the virus, and yes, new variants are likely to transpire should there be new variant -- should there be a virus circulating, as in south africa. but we need sequencing programs globally. in the absence of having this in place, there are other variance that are els

— and the vaccines do work against delta.courage everyone who's eligible for the vaccine to receive it. the other is, by getting boosters and vaccines, we think that our current vaccines — this is my hope, as we say in the us, my "fingers are crossed" — our current vaccines will have some cross—protection against omicron. we'll have to see how much of that there is. in the event that we do need another vaccine, the manufacturers can create of course, one that might be ready sometime in 2022. one more development to bring you on the covid—i9 pandemic — china says it will donate one billion additional vaccine doses to africa. less than seven percent of the continent's population is fully vaccinated so far. (gfx ff)and you can find much more about the pandemic on our website — including this look at how the new omicron variant has triggered a scramble among some passengers to fly home before restrictions are imposed. just log on to bbc.com/news let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines — starting in the us. the ma

here, we will see if this is able to compete with delta. if it is, i think he will probably start finding it everywhere. given that the first sequence came out on 11 november, there have been a lot of airplanes coming in and out of africa and wherever else the virus has got to, and of course, we have to be careful not to label this from a region perspective. the variants arise anywhere, so we have to be respectful of that. kailey: if someone had a breakthrough delta variant infection, with a in theory have enough immunity from that that they would not be infected by another variant? is there a way to know that? sam: wouldn't i love to know the answer to that question. because i had delta and i have had a vaccination before. there is data. unfortunately, it is not the right answer you're looking for. there is data that suggests that if you are infected with alpha or the delta variant, your immune response is not very good at neutralizing the beta variant . so if this new virus is a variant similar in behavior to the beta variant, it is possi

delta removed 10096, so there is be.e is 90% certainty that you wouldn't get a symptomatic disease, but it stops you from dying, it stops you from having to go to hospital, mostly, and it does reduce the risk of transmitting it to others. so, if this virus isn't anymore transmissible and doesn't reduce the vaccine efficacy, then we are in a great position, but we also need to know whether this particular mutation also tests at the same rate at the same period, and it doesn't have some sort of delay positivity, and if that is the case, yes, we can open up the borders, test people as they come in, because you know everybody has been under some sort of restriction, and you don't want those to go for not and have great increases again, particularly in the northern hemisphere, where in the fifth and sixth wave.— fifth and sixth wave. indeed, professor — fifth and sixth wave. indeed, professor mary _ fifth and sixth wave. indeed, professor mary louise, - fifth and sixth wave. indeed, | professor mary louise, thank fifth and si

that's displacing delta and up until now we have not yet encountered a variant but can displace delta yet, we are seeing this variant do just that in under one week. some people were saying it could be “p people were saying it could be up to 500% more competitively advantageous, faster infection but i hope that number is wrong because that is true it is old four—time magnitude higher than delta and i hope it is not that infectious but it could be, that's why we have to be incredibly vigilant right now. it does not sound great. given how quickly the virus spreads, the variance we have known so far, surely this has spread around the globe already? yes, surel , around the globe already? yes, surely, because _ around the globe already? yes, surely, because the _ around the globe already? yes, surely, because the hong - around the globe already? 133 surely, because the hong kong case was from november 11 when they first arrived in hong kong and it took over eight days to find the second infection in hong kong. israel case, obviously — by the way it is hong kong were all breakthrough among

to deal with delta?ion and making sure more and more americans accept and receive the vaccine. also the same protocols have to be enforced, but more importantly or just as important the president needs to continue to move forward with his legislative agenda and to make sure that the key pillars of the economy are sound, so that as we get through this phase, the recovery can continue. >> and how exactly does he do that given how polarized the country is? i mean, how does he get his message across on how the infrastructure and reconciliation packages will have a positive impact on people's lives? can he actually achieve that ahead of the mid terms? >> there's some limits, and what i write is in a polarized erat best he can do is to create more enthusiasm with democrats and to try to affect the handful of swing voters. the most important is to be the explainer in chief. to be a president who not just says i'm passing this huge bill or trying to pass this huge bill but explain what's in it and explain why it

plan. world, to behave as though it's the delta lan. ~ ., ., delta plan.at about the - implications for the vaccination programme? you have had some concerns with people trying to get their boosters and having difficulties getting appointments. we are running at the fastest we can. if vaccination programme is the greatest logistical exercise and health services had ever managed and we are trying to now go twice as fast as he went in the first round so we are trying to do a half million in four months and now the joint committee is we can go quicker and we can go from 18 to 29—year—olds for boosters and candor — second doses in teenagers. we will take that information on part of the next few days and we may already be in the vaccine seems to think about how we do that. today reopening to a0—year—olds and reopen the portal for those over a0 and the announce to the country how they can go for their boosters as time passes but many people and keeps people to come forward self we can't do everybody who is eligible tomorrow but will get to the next process we ca