The wave of COVID-19 infections fuelled by the Omicron variant could accelerate the end of pandemic disruptions as the new variant seems to lead to less severe illness and provides protection against the Delta variant, say South African researchers.  

A laboratory study using samples from 23 individuals infected with the Omicron variant in November and December revealed that while those people who previously got infected with the Delta variant could contract Omicron infection, those who get the Omicron infection couldn’t be infected with Delta, especially if they have been vaccinated. Results were not clear among the unvaccinated.

Despite Omicron being significantly more infectious than Delta, hospitalization and mortality data in countries, including South Africa, suggest that it causes less severe illness. The study points out that Omicron can displace Delta variant. Researchers stated that the implications of the displacement would depend on whether the new variant is less pathogenic than Delta, and if that is the case, then the incidence of severe disease would be decreased… (Bloomberg Quint, January 19, 2022)