41.62% Are Not At All Concerned About the Omicron Variant

The latest Covid-19 variant — Omicron, is beginning to pop up in quite a few parts of the world. To begin with, the variant first popped up in South Africa. Due to this, many countries closed borders with South African nations. To highlight, WHO says Omicron is very infectious and spreads very fast.

The online survey application — Real Research, launched a survey on new covid variant Omicron. The survey aims to find how the public is reacting to the fact of Omicron spreading in South Africa. Therefore, the survey aims to gauge the impacts of the Omicron variant, the spread of Omicron variant, as well as measures to curb the spread of the variants.

Highlights

• 54.79% say people have been diagnosed with Omicron in their country.
• 36.53% get their Omicron-related news from television and newspapers.
• 46.41% say stronger and stricter measures are required to contain Omicron.

72.84% Is Aware of the New Omicron Variant

The Omicron virus is just the latest Covid-19 strain. In order to gauge public awareness of the new covid variant Omicron, the survey asks how many know of it. To which, a whopping 72.84% say they are aware. To continue forth, the survey asks the respondents if their country has already had a case of the new covid variant Omicron. Here, 54.79% say ‘Yes’.

To follow up, the survey asks how concerned the respondents are over the new covid variant Omicron. On this, 41.62% say they are not concerned at all. In contrast, 31.63% say they are extremely concerned and the remaining 31.63% say somewhat concerned.

Read Also: Respondents Say Vaccination Gap Can Increase the Cause of New Variants

25.69% Get Their Information on Omicron Virus Via Social Media

Next, the survey asks respondents what their go-to source of information is for the new covid variant Omicron. In order, 36.53% say newspaper and television news, and 25.69% say social media. Following after, 4.73% say government official websites, 2% say public health banners, 1.98% say friends and family, and 1.51% say from their doctors.

To follow up, the survey asks respondents if they believe their countries’ governments and health authorities are prepared from the new covid variant Omicron. Here, 35.83% say ‘Most definitely’, 21.97% say ‘Probably’, and 9.79% say ‘Probably not’. The rest are unsure.

Respondents next reveal why they believe new variants are discovered regularly in Africa. 38.24% say low vaccine rates and weak immunity. Likewise, 15.69% say Africa opened its borders too soon. Meanwhile, 5.17% say Africa cannot manufacture its own vaccine and 2.78% say vaccines are not 100% effective. Lastly, 1.82% say some African countries are not very strict with masks and social distancing regulations.

25.69% Get Their Information on Omicron Virus Via Social Media

In addition, respondents chose which country in Africa is most likely to face the new covid variant Omicron. In order, South Africa (39.29%), Botswana (9.02%), Eswatini (7.09%), Lesotho (4.29%), Malawi (2.74%), Mozambique (1.94%), Namibia (1.19%), Zimbabwe (1.05%), Angola (0.44%), and Seychelles (0.20%). 

The next question asks respondents how quarantine measures should change in their country if the new covid variant Omicron spread there. In this instance, 46.41% say stronger and stricter measures will be needed. Meanwhile, 12.71% say current measures should remain, and 6.28% say measures should ease since new variants will always continue to occur.

As shown above, respondents choose which measures are most likely to curb the spread of the new covid variant Omicron. The majority (32.36%) say to place travel and visit restrictions from affected countries.

Likewise, 15.59% say reinforce recommended vaccines and booster shots. Similarly, 11.74% say to reinforce quarantine measures in daily life. Finally, 5.31% say to place travel and visit restrictions on all foreign countries.