Even though Omicron may cause less severe disease WHO chief scientist warning

Omicron Variant | World Health Organization (WHO) Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan said on Friday that the incidence of hospitalizations due to Omicron is increasing across the world, most of whom have not been vaccinated. Dr Swaminath cautioned countries facing Omicron outbreaks, saying that although Omicron may cause less severe disease, a small fraction of a large number can still affect the health system.

Congratulating the health workers, the Chief Scientist said that vaccination prevents hospitalization and death, whether due to Omicron, Delta or any other type of covid.

Let us inform that this warning has come when there is a sudden increase in the number of daily Kovid cases in India, which is probably due to Omicron. As of Friday morning, India's Omicron tally stands at 1,270, with experts fearing that Omicron has already started replacing the Delta variants in the country. Reports say that about 80 percent of cases in India are now from Omicron.

Talking about the effectiveness of vaccines, Swaminathan had earlier tweeted, "As expected, T cell immunity holds up better against Omicron. It will save us from serious illness. If you haven't been vaccinated, get it."

In its latest epidemiological update, the WHO said the risk associated with the Omicron variant is very high and the variant has overtaken Delta in the US and UK.