COVID Variant - Omicron B.1.1.529

it is still too early to know whether the new variant, dubbed omicron, is more transmissible than the delta variant. There remains little understanding about the severity of illness caused by the variant and the rate of hospitalization. Scientists in South Africa, where the variant was first identified, said they expect more breakthrough cases in people vaccinated against the coronavirus.

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If the Omicron variant causes fewer hospitalizations and fatalities, a high number of cases may no longer be frightening

1/3/22

from The Gray Area,

1/3/22:

A winter surge of the COVID Omicron variant is now in the news. Cases are up dramatically in major US cities with panic and mask & vaccine mandates being re-initiated and lockdowns threatened. But, is this case load relevant?

Omicron cases in Africa & Europe have actually turned down since a spike in Nov/Dec. Omicron symptoms do not seem to have as serious as COVID or the Delta variant.

If, as some data suggests, the Omicron variant causes fewer hospitalizations and fatalities, a high number of cases may no longer be as frightening as it once was.