Omicron appears more resistant to Covid vaccines but causing less severe illness in South Africa, major real-world study finds.
Even if omicron is milder, there is a concern among officials and experts, that case numbers may be so huge that even a less severe version of the virus risks overwhelming healthcare systems.
Boosters may offer more protection against omicron, according to studies conducted by the U.K. Health Security Agency and others. Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London, said that even if omicron is “imperfectly” manageable by vaccines and boosters, “that still leaves a serious situation.”
The South African study Tuesday was led by Discovery Health in collaboration with South Africa's Medical Research Council, SAMRC. It looked at 211,000 positive cases between Nov. 15 and Dec. 7, some 78,000 of which were believed to be omicron.The study found that two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech provided just 33 percent protection against infection in South Africa compared with unvaccinated people.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Omicron live updates: South Africa's president tests positive for COVID-19LATEST: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for 'mild COVID-19 symptoms' after testing positive for the virus, his office says.
Read more »
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tests positive for Covid-19 with mild symptomsSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild Covid-19 symptoms after testing positive on Sunday, the office of the presidency said in a statement.
Read more »
South African president tests positive for COVID, mildly illSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive for the disease.
Read more »
South African president tests positive for COVID, mildly illSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive for the disease Sunday, his office said. Ramaphosa started feeling unwell and a test confirmed COVID-19, a statement from the presidency announced. Last week, Ramaphosa visited four West African countries. Ramaphosa said his own infection serves as a caution to all people in South Africa to be vaccinated and remain vigilant against exposure, the statement said.
Read more »
South Korea to track Covid cases using AI technology – latest updatesLatest on the global Covid crisis: 🇰🇷 South Korea to track Covid cases using AI 🇬🇧 UK fears 'tidal wave' of Omicron infections 🇿🇦 South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa contracts Covid For more:
Read more »