WHO foresees “large number” of hospitalizations in the world, although omicron is less dangerous

The rapid spread of omicron will cause “a large number of hospitalizations” of patients with coronavirus covid-19, albeit a slightly less dangerous variant than its predecessor, the European branch of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“A rapid increase in omicron, like the one we observe in several countries – even if it is combined with a slightly less serious disease – it will cause a large number of hospitalizations, especially among the unvaccinated ”, declared to AFP Catherine Smallwood, one of the main managers of WHO Europe.

Given the uncertainties about the new variant detected for the first time at the end of November in South Africa, the countries hesitate between strong restrictions and a more flexible strategy due to the signs of less serious omicron.

“It is too early to say whether the omicron wave will be more or less severe than the Delta wave”, highlighted Smallwood, “Although preliminary data in the most affected populations in Europe (England, Scotland, Denmark) show that omicron could lead to a lower risk of hospitalization compared to delta.”

The emergency response specialist asked that the preliminary data be taken “with caution”, since currently the observed cases refer mainly to “young and healthy populations in countries with high vaccination rates.”

“We have not yet seen the impact that omicron will have on the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly who have not yet received a full vaccination”, says the expert.

According to these data, still very incomplete and which should be taken with caution, omicron could be between 35% and 80% less serious than delta.

But other experts emphasize that increased contagion can nullify the advantage of a less dangerous variant, while many countries announce record cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

The experts also do not know if this apparently lower severity comes from the intrinsic characteristics of the variant, or if it is related to the fact that it affects populations already partially immunized (by the vaccine or a previous infection).

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