Fauci says early reports encouraging about Omicron variant
(VOVWORLD) - Early indications on the severity of the Omicron Covid-19 variant are "a bit encouraging", President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told CNN, adding that scientists need more information before drawing conclusions about Omicron’s severity.
 COVID-19 testing at Los Angeles International Airport, USA. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Reports from South Africa, where it emerged and is becoming the dominant strain, suggest that hospitalization rates have not increased alarmingly.
Omicron has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of concern. Many countries and territories have reported cases of this variant, increasing the risk of a dangerous wave of new infections. However, scientists still are having much debate about Omicron. Some argued that this variant could spread more quickly, resistant to immunity from vaccination and infection or be more severe. Others have said the severity of the Omicron variant is exaggerated.