Omicron variant, Ciccozzi: “From the first data it seems more contagious”

“From the first epidemiological data, the Omicron” South African variant of Covid “would indeed seem more contagious than the Delta. At the moment in the South African laboratories, with which we are in constant contact, more than 500 sequences have already been made. The epidemiology tells us that it is supplanting the Delta variant. Certain information, however, will come from molecular data, both as regards contagiousness and as regards the ability of vaccines to protect. And the analyzes are already underway “. Massimo Ciccozzi, head of the Medical Statistics and Epidemiology unit of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the Bio-Medico Campus of Rome, explains this to Adnkronos Health, already activated on the study of the brand new variant. According to data from South African laboratories “in the country, with the Omicron variant, there is an R0 of 1.34. This means that the epidemic is no longer under control. The phenomenon may be linked to the greater contagiousness of the new variant. but other elements must also be taken into account such as the very low percentage of vaccination coverage in the country, around 20%, and the scarce use of anti Covid measures, very far from our standards. It is certain, however, that, at the moment, in South Africa, Omicron runs faster than the Delta “. In this variant, adds Ciccozzi, “there are all the mutations of the single variants seen so far. All together on the same Spike protein. And, at least on the epidemiological level, Omicron seems to have started a race at the moment”.