Omicron is Causing Global Alarm

UK researchers say they have found “no evidence” that the Omicron coronavirus variant is milder than Delta, casting doubt on the cautious optimism of some experts that the new strain may not be as virulent and not overwhelm healthcare systems. 

The study by Imperial College London on Friday – released just as health officials reported record Covid-19 cases for the third consecutive day, with a rise to 93,045 new infections – also found that the risk of reinfection with Omicron is more than five times higher than Delta. 

The non peer-reviewed research was based on UK Health Security Agency and National Health Service data on people who tested positive for Covid-19 in a PCR test in England between November 29 and December 11. 

Study lead Professor Neil Ferguson says: “This study provides further evidence of the very substantial extent to which Omicron can evade prior immunity given by both infection or vaccination”. Meaning, Omicron poses an imminent threat to public health. 

Even so, it appears some of the conclusions are different from the data emerging from South Africa, where vaccines are holding up well against severe disease and death at present. 

It can be noted that there’s still a huge amount of uncertainty in these modelled estimates and I guess we would need more time to ascertain the real situation as we collect real-world data on hospitalisation ICU numbers and deaths.

But what is clear is that Omicron is spreading like wildfire and Europe is taking cover!