KarunaNews Story

A South African study suggests reduced risks of hospitalization and severe disease in people infected with the Omicron coronavirus variant versus the Delta one, though the authors say some of that is likely due to high population immunity. The study, which has not been peer-reviewed, found that people diagnosed with Omicron in South Africa between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 were 80% less likely to be admitted to hospital than those diagnosed with another variant. Among patients admitted in that period, those with Omicron had a similar chance of developing severe disease as those with other variants. However, people hospitalized with Omicron in October-November were 70% less likely to develop severe disease than those admitted with Delta between April and November.