Omicron variant, WHO: “Not yet clear whether more transmissible and serious”

“It is not yet clear whether Omicron,” the new variant of Covid, “is more transmissible than other variants, including the Delta variant. The number of people who tested positive has increased in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but they are in ongoing epidemiological studies to understand if it is due to Omicron or other factors “. This was clarified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in an update on the situation. Also read “It is still unclear whether Omicron infection causes more serious disease than infections with other variants, including Delta,” WHO explains. “Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing hospitalization rates in South Africa, but this could be due to the increase in the overall number of people infected, rather than a specific infection with Omicron. There is currently no information to suggest that the symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those of other variants. ” The infections initially reported, WHO notes, “were among college students, younger individuals who tend to have milder disease, but understanding the severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks. Covid-19, including the Delta variant which is dominant around the world, can cause serious illness or death, particularly for the most vulnerable, and therefore prevention is always key. “WHO” is working with technical partners to understand the potential impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures, including vaccines. Vaccines remain critical in reducing serious illness and death, even against the dominant circulating virus, Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against serious illness and death. ” specifies the World Health Organization. Widely used PCR tests, WHO notes, “continue to detect infection, including Omicron infection, as we have seen with other variants as well. Studies are underway to determine if there is an impact on other types of tests. , including rapid antigen detection tests. “Corticosteroids and IL6 receptor blockers, the organization notes,” will still be effective for managing patients with severe Covid-19. Other treatments will be evaluated to see if they are still as good. effective given the modifications to parts of the virus in the Omicron variant “.