Unlike the Delta version, Omicron infections are less likely to result in hospitalisation, according to a study
While talks and government policy are pushing toward a booster shot of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine in the aftermath of the extremely contagious mutant strain Omicron, a recent study found that infection with the most recent variant is less likely to land you in the hospital. Two studies published on Wednesday in the United Kingdom discovered that Omicron infection patients are less likely to be hospitalized than those who received the Delta variant. Specialists were skeptical of the first findings, stating that while the new strain may not have a large impact, its increased infectiousness may increase the number of cases.
According to Jim McMenamin, one of the study’s co-authors, “this is qualified good news” – “qualified since these are early data, statistically significant, and we are indicating a lower probability of hospitalization.” In November and December, the Covid-19 infections in the Scottish study were classified as ‘Delta against Omicron.’
During the study, it was observed that “Omicron is associated with a two-thirds decrease in the incidence of Covid-19 hospitalization compared to Delta.” A booster dose, on the other hand, gave significant protection against symptomatic Omicron infection, which has a spike protein that is more than 30 times that of Delta.
While the lower chance of hospitalization with the Omicron variant is encouraging, the risk of infection remains rather high, according to Azra Ghani of Imperial College London, who co-authored the study in England. With the addition of the booster dosage, vaccines continue to provide the best protection against sickness and hospitalization, he said.
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization’s European head warned nations to brace themselves for a “substantial increase” in COVID-19 infections as Omicron spreads, and he advocated for wider use of boosters to guard against the virus.
