Preliminary findings on the severity of the omicron variant of the coronavirus are “slightly encouraging”, according to the United States’ chief of infection control Anthony Fauci.
– It is too early to give any definitive statements, but so far it does not look like the variant is so very serious. So far, the findings are a bit encouraging, Fauci said in an interview with CNN Sunday.
Despite the fact that infection rates in South Africa – where the variant was first discovered – has increased sharply recently, admission numbers have remained more stable.
The first detected omicron case in South Africa was registered on 8 November. Mild disease progression has been observed among people who have been diagnosed with the variant. No deaths have been reported.