Christmas travel will increase the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, even among the fully vaccinated, says the top US infectious disease expert.
“There’s no doubt about this, [Omicron] has an extraordinary capability of spreading,” said Dr Anthony Fauci on Sunday.
Dr Fauci, who advises the US government on the pandemic, said the variant was now “raging through the world”.
Countries are tightening measures as the heavily mutated variant spreads.
Europe, France and Germany are among those who have issued travel restrictions and the Netherlands has imposed a strict lockdown over Christmas.
Governments are also ramping up their Covid booster vaccination programmes after researchers said the additional shot could provide around 85% protection against severe illness.
On Sunday, Fauci said the rapid spread of Omicron in the US could have a serious impact on health services across the country.
“Our hospitals, if things look like they’re looking now, are going to be very stressed,” warned Fauci.
He said peopled needed to take precautions such as wearing face masks and social distancing. He also urged more Americans to get their vaccine and booster shots.
“The difference between a vaccinated and boosted person who has an infection, and someone who has an infection who has never been vaccinated – it’s a major difference with regard to the risk of severity,” he said.
