Last updated on September 17th, 2023 at 04:04 pm
Omicron quickly overtook pre-existing coronavirus variants like Alpha, Beta and deadly Delta across the world at a rapid pace. With the variant being “efficiently transmitted between people”, doctors are urging caution for the time being.
What WHO said
Speaking to Programme, Maria Van Kerkhove (WHO Technical Lead) explained that Omicron differs from the Delta strain, but can still cause full spectrum of disease. Van Kerkhove also assures that Omicron is less severe than previous strains with regards to risk
These people have the full spectrum of disease, everything from asymptomatic infection all the way through severe incident and death. She answered a question on why people still end up in hospital or died.
Infected with Omicron
People with underlying conditions or advanced age may have a severe form of Covid-19 following infection from Omicron, while those who are unvaccinated may be at greater risk.
The World Health Organization’s tech lead was asked about the potential for an Omicron infection outnumbering Delta and slowly overtaking everyone, as Delta slowly ceased to be transmitted as efficiently by everyone.
In order to be eligible for Omicron, users must meet certain criteria, but the coattails were still high for it. Kerkhove noted that although cases were high around the world, it does not mean that everybody will get Omicron anytime soon.
Omicron Transmission
A recent report published by the World Health Organization found that the vaccines available to block Covid-19 have little hope against Omicron transmission. The current outbreak has turned out at a time when the initial treatments are running out, and new variants of the infection are emerging.
In a recently published legal risk assessment, Cornell University stated that the new form of concerns Omicron is still associated with a high level of risk.
ALSO READ: How To Treat Omicron Variant Virus Today
All of this, even that WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged everyone to stay persistent on containing the disease.
From the author of one of The New York Times article “Our Other Big Horn Problem” Chip Reid talks about how the global pandemic is worse than we imagine.
US leading with High Cases
The United States has the highest amount of coronavirus cases, followed by India.
Yet with new treatment methods, such as immunotherapy, and public awareness raising as of late, US President’s chief medical adviser Mr. Fauci expressed optimism that the Omicron surges will soon begin to be less frequent in the US.
