WHO considered it premature to talk about more severe COVID with omicron

The organization receives data that those infected with the omicron strain carry COVID-19easier, but scientists do not yet have enough data to confirm this

The World Health Organization (WHO) is still in the process of collecting data on the course of the COVID-19 disease in people infected with the omicron strain, WHO expert Maria van Kerkhove said in an interview with CBS. So far, there is a trend towards a milder course of the disease, but experts have too little data for a definite answer.

“Initial reports suggest that people with the omicron strain tend to have a milder course of the disease, but it is too early to tell. The fact is that people must go through the full period of the disease (until recovery - RBC.). It may be several weeks before we really understand how many of these people will develop a serious illness, ”she stressed.

At the same time, van Kerkhove noted that even if it turns out that after infection with the omicron strain COVID-19 proceeds more easily, you still need to act quickly to prevent the spread of the virus. She explained that some of those infected would still require hospitalization, which would mean an increase in the number of deaths.

“More hospitalizations can mean more deaths, and we don’t want that to happen against the backdrop of an already difficult situation with the spread of the delta strain,” the expert said.

Scientists have identified an increased risk of re-COVID-19 due to omicron strain Society