COVID-19 | Could Ómicron mark the end of the pandemic as some scientists say?

Two Israeli doctors from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Zvika Granot and Amnon Lahad, pointed out this week that, while the Omicron variant is worrying, it is not “a health disaster” and may even signal the end of the pandemic.

In fact, both experts note that it is likely close “a in which we live with the coronavirus as we do with the various variants of the flu and other viruses ”.

“We have been living with the coronavirus for two years and we have seen new variants appear, and a new variant, by definition, is more contagious than the previous one”, explains Granot, director of the laboratory for biological and cancer research at the Hebrew University. “Generally, viruses that are very aggressive are not very contagious and those that are very contagious ”, Add.

Experts have explained that Omicron is indeed more contagious than Delta but, when asked if it is more aggressive, they conclude that they investigate further, although, according to the World Health Organization, no deaths have yet been recorded from the new variant.

Many infected, but few sick

Experts have pointed out that the situation is “very dynamic” and that deaths from Ómicron will probably be recorded, but they detail that the end of the coronavirus pandemic will happen when, as is the current case.

“A lot of people are going to get it, but they will have runny nose and maybe a fever for a couple of days, and then they will go on with their normal life. When these types of situations occur, the vast majority become infected and overcome it, developing true group immunity “, has stated Granot. “From some point of view, ”, adds.

There is no impending disaster

Lahad, who heads the university’s department of general medicine, has said that the media and governments are talking about “Looming disastrous situation” because they see that the numbers of positive cases are increasing, but, as he adds, “If you look at it in detail, it is verified that indeed the PCR tests show more positive cases, but , rather a descent or stability “, express.

According to both doctors, the movement is the same in different countries: in South Africa, where the vaccination rate is much lower than in Israel, and also in the United Kingdom. “The catastrophe is more in public opinion than in the real situation in emergencies and first aid clinics”, insisted Lahad.

The expert is based on preliminary data indicating that 60 percent of Omicron carriers do not have symptoms and, he points out, his mission now is “Try to convince everyone that because this variant is not going to saturate the health system ”.

“Cautiously, but optimistically”, according to Dr. Granot, the Omicron variant is “a step that brings us closer to the end of the pandemic ”.

However, both have emphasized the need to continue wearing masks, maintain distances and, “The most important thing, if there are any symptoms of illness, no matter how slight, what is responsible and obliged is neither to work nor to school ”, conclude.

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