POFMA correction direction issued to Goh Meng Seng over COVID-19 Omicron variant falsehoods

CLARIFICATIONS ON FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT OMICRON VARIANT

The claims made within the Facebook submit are false and "without any scientific basis", stated MOH."Genetic recombination of viruses is thought to happen solely in genetically associated viruses."The HIV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses are not related, and it is implausible in biological terms that these viruses can undergo genetic recombination. To date, there is also no scientific evidence that such a recombination between HIV and SARS-CoV-2 has occurred, contrary to Goh’s assertion."MOH additionally refuted the declare that the HIV virus would possibly turn into transmissible by droplets within the air. "Viruses simply do not change drastically enough to take on vastly different properties. HIV is transmitted via bodily fluids, eg. blood, semen, or vaginal secretions, and will remain to be so."The ministry additionally stated that "there is simply no scientific evidence" to make the declare that the Omicron variant is a mix of the HIV and COVID-19 viruses.There can be no proof to counsel that the at the moment obtainable COVID-19 vaccines are "totally useless" in opposition to the brand new variant."Studies are ongoing, and there is currently insufficient data on how the Omicron variant affects vaccine effectiveness. Most scientists believe that existing vaccines will retain some effectiveness against the Omicron variant, but protection may be less due to the large number of mutations in the Omicron variant."MOH suggested the general public not to speculate or unfold misinformation which will trigger alarm, and to refer to credible sources of data as a substitute.