Converted, this means that last week about 3,000 people were infected with the omikron variant, last week there were only 700, or about six percent. “Omikron will be dominant in Belgium within a few days, probably already this weekend,” predicts Van Gucht. “The virus quadruples in a week. The changing of delta’s watch by omikron is coming.”
The infection figures show that people in their twenties and thirties are especially infected with omikron. The infection figures are currently still falling, but the emergence of the omikron variant could lead to a new increase, according to the virologist, possibly as early as January. “A booster shot provides 75 percent more protection against an omikron infection,” says Van Gucht.
Less chance of hospital infection
Preliminary results of research in Denmark, the United Kingdom and South Africa show that the chance of hospitalization with an omikron infection is on average 50 percent smaller than with the delta variant. “That in itself is good news,” says Van Gucht, “but because omikron causes ten times more infections, many people still end up in hospital.”
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flu shot
Van Gucht notes that there is currently no flu epidemic in Belgium. “The flu virus is circulating at a low level,” it sounds. The virologist sees that there is a flu epidemic in some Eastern European countries and several French regions and therefore advises high-risk groups to get a flu shot. “We may have to deal with a flu and an omikron epidemic next year.” The flu vaccine and the corona vaccine can easily be given side by side, which poses no threat to public health,” emphasizes Van Gucht.
Finally, Van Gucht makes an appeal to donate blood to the Red Cross, because there are major shortages. “If the operations, which are now being postponed due to the pressure on care, can take place again later, a lot of blood is needed,” he explains.
Emmanuel André also warns against advance
Earlier today, virologist Emmanuel André had also warned on Twitter that the variant may cause a new wave in the coming days. He speaks of a doubling of the number of omikron infections in 2 to 3 days. It is expected that these dynamics will trigger another rapid revival from today or tomorrow.
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ALSO READ. Average number of corona infections continues to fall
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