The emergence of a mutant “Omicron” from the emerging corona virus raised fears of returning to square one in the war against the epidemic, while scientists expressed their fear that the mutations that were monitored would affect the immunity acquired in the body through vaccination.
But these concerns, which were raised at a global level about two weeks ago, began to dissipate little by little, after receiving indications described as reassuring, although sufficient knowledge of this mutation still requires several weeks, in order to determine things such as the duration of the severity of symptoms or resistance to the currently available vaccines.
In this context, the chief infectious disease adviser in the United States, Anthony Fauci, said that initial reports indicate that the “Omicron” mutant is less dangerous than “Delta”, which continues to infect people and admit them to hospitals for treatment.
But Fauci acknowledged that scientists need more time to better understand the “Omicron” mutant, while US President Joe Biden said earlier that the new mutant causes concern, not panic.
Reports from South Africa, where the new mutation is likely to appear, indicate that hospitalization rates have not seen a frightening increase.
“So far, there does not appear to be a significant degree of risk,” Fauci said. “But we have to be careful before making any assessment that it is less severe or that it does not cause any serious disease similar to Delta.”
A report issued by the South African Council for Medical Research revealed that most of the patients who came to the hospital in the capital, Pretoria, and were suspected of having the Omicron mutated, were admitted for treatment, as a result of other diseases, not because of “Covid 19”.
Among the 42 patients suspected of having the new mutation, the data showed that 70 percent of them did not suffer from breathing disorders, nor did they need to be supplied with oxygen.
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