The new Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading from country to country, crossing borders despite the lockdowns imposed by many nations. However, the critical questions remain: Is the Omicron variant more transmissible than the current Delta strain? Does it cause more severe illness? Will it render previous infections or vaccines less effective? Much still remains unknown about the new variant, including whether it is more contagious, as some health authorities suspect, whether it leads to more severe illness, and whether it can evade current vaccines.
In this context, Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead at the World Health Organization (WHO) for COVID-19, stated that the WHO expects to receive more information about the transmissibility of the new Omicron virus within days, not weeks, as previously anticipated by WHO experts last week. They had mentioned that it would take weeks to assess the available data about the Omicron variant after it was classified as a "variant of concern," which is its highest designation.
Dr. Van Kerkhove added, according to the organization's Twitter account, that there is still a need for answers to some key questions about whether the variant is more transmissible or can escape from vaccines. She mentioned that one possible scenario is that the new variant, first detected in South Africa, may be more transmissible than the dominant Delta variant, but it is still unclear whether the Omicron variant causes more severe cases.
Dr. Van Kerkhove explained that there are many scenarios being studied regarding the Omicron variant at the WHO, but it is still too early to make decisions as there is not enough information available. She pointed out that reports from South Africa indicate that there are mild cases as well as others that required hospital admission. It is logical that with an increasing number of infections, there will also be a rise in those who need hospital treatment, as well as an increase in deaths.
Dr. Van Kerkhove concluded her statement by saying that if the Omicron variant proves to be more severe than the common Delta variant, the expected scenario is that everything being implemented to combat the Delta variant will apply to the plans for facing the new variant, with further emphasis on preventive measures to reduce transmission and limit its spread to prevent more severe infections and deaths.
Many questions remain unanswered by scientists, which would allow them to understand the new coronavirus variant in its proper context; however, experts have anticipated results suggesting that the new variant, whether dangerous or not, strongly signals the continuation of the war against the pandemic, reminding the world that it is still in the midst of an ongoing battle.
The coronavirus has caused the deaths of at least 5,223,072 people globally since the WHO's office in China reported the emergence of the disease at the end of December 2019. At least 262,933,840 people have confirmed infections since its appearance. The vast majority of those infected have recovered, although some have continued to experience symptoms for weeks or even months.
These figures are based on daily reports from health authorities in each country, excluding subsequent reviews by statistical agencies that indicate a much larger number of deaths. The WHO considers, taking into account the high death rate directly or indirectly associated with COVID-19, that the pandemic toll may be two to three times higher than the officially reported figures. A significant percentage of less severe or asymptomatic cases remain undetected despite intensified testing in many countries.