The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is at least 40% more deadly than seasonal flu, according to Japanese scientists, who highlight the danger of lifting pandemic restrictions too quickly and underestimating the risks of the virus.
Japan’s Omicron case fatality rate, based on cumulative deaths and the number of infections since January, was around 0.13%, according to an analysis by scientists advising the country’s health minister. While this number is significantly lower than the 4.25% fatality rate at the beginning of the outbreak, it is still higher than the 0.006% to 0.09% seen with seasonal flu.
+ WHO warns that there is still high transmission of Ômicron in the world
Countries around the world have begun to ease security measures, pushing for a return to normal life. The public tired of the restrictions coupled with the reduced severity of Omicron made many people think that the rules were no longer essential.
While Japan has not formally lifted restrictions, it is reducing border rules and quarantine periods for travelers, essential workers and close contacts of positive cases in order to keep the economy afloat.
The decline in mortality with Ômicron may reflect both the reduced infection of the variant – particularly compared to delta – and the benefits of vaccination, according to the team of scientists.
The findings show the importance of implementing control measures, before vaccines are fully distributed, the study authors pointed out.
However, more studies are still needed to determine the impact of easing when all restrictions are lifted, Takaji Wakita, chairman of the Ministry of Health’s advisory board, said in the data presentation. This is because, he explained, the current information was obtained when most restrictions on the pandemic were still in place.
The study, which has not been peer-reviewed or published in a medical journal, has several limitations, including differences in the way the data was collected, which makes cross-comparisons difficult, Wakita said. “Still, there is a considerable difference in mortality,” although the arrival of Ômicron has narrowed the gap between Covid and the flu, she added.
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