A surge in the Omicron variant of coronavirus has been reported across the globe. As of now, little remains known in certain about the virus. Is it more infectious than other variants? Can't say, as sufficient data is not yet available on its immune escape capabilities and the virulence. Is Omicron more dangerous or fatal than Delta? Initial data would suggest it is not, as a large number of infected population have reported 'mild' symptoms—however, it is also a fact that, in areas like South Africa, a largely young demographic have been predominantly infected. So, what information do we have about the new pandemic?
Singapore's ministry of health said on Monday that early clinical observations globally suggest that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 may be more transmissible and have a higher risk of reinfection compared to the Delta and Beta variants of the virus. "This means that there is a higher likelihood of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to be reinfected with the Omicron variant," Channel News Asia quoted the ministry as saying on Sunday in an update on the Omicron variant. On Sunday, Singapore also reported 552 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths linked to the coronavirus.
On the other hand, United States health officials said that while the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than Delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalisations. US President Joe Biden's chief medial advisor, Anthony Fauci, told CNN that scientists need more information before drawing conclusion's about Omicron's severity. Reports from South Africa, where it emerged and is becoming the dominant strain, suggest that hospitalisation rates have not increased alarmingly. "Thus far, it does not look like there's a great degree of severity to it," Fauci said. "But we have really got to be careful before we make any determinations that it is less severe or it really doesn't cause any severe illness, comparable to delta."
Fauci said the Biden administration is considering lifting travel restrictions against non-citizens entering the United States from several African countries. They were imposed as the Omicron variant exploded in the region, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has blasted such measures as travel apartheid. "Hopefully we'll be able to lift that ban in a quite reasonable period of time," Fauci said. "We all feel very badly about the hardship that has been put on not only on South Africa but the other African countries."
Omicron had been detected in about a third of US states by Sunday. Wisconsin and Missouri were among the latest states to confirm cases.
-Inputs from agencies