Severity of ‘stealth omicron’ varies by country’s vaccination rate

As many COVID-19 mitigation measures have been lifted within the D.C. space, a mutant of the virus has been rising and is now inflicting a brand new wave of omicron circumstances world wide.

It’s referred to as BA.2, and it’s been referred to as “stealth omicron” as a result of “it lacks a genetic quirk of the unique omicron that allowed well being officers to quickly differentiate it from delta utilizing a sure PCR take a look at,” The Related Press reported. What might truly be a BA.2 an infection seems to be like a delta an infection.

CBS Information medical contributor Dr. David Agus stated BA.2 is kind of completely different from BA.1, the unique omicron variant, however consultants imagine it has an analogous sickness charge. You could find out extra about BA.2 right here.

On Thursday, he stated 75% of circumstances worldwide are attributable to BA.2; 25% of circumstances within the U.S. It’s additionally quickly rising in international locations which have a excessive incidence of vaccinations, akin to New Zealand, which has a file case quantity however virtually no hospitalizations.

Nevertheless in Hong Kong, Agus stated, one in 20 are dying from the virus as a result of 60% of individuals over 60 years outdated aren’t vaccinated.

“The issue is, you probably have no vaccine and also you had some immunity to BA.1, you’re not going to have that a lot immunity to BA.2,” Agus stated, including that outcomes differ relying on the vaccination charge of the nation.

With about 65% of individuals vaccinated within the U.S. and a few immunity for individuals who have been uncovered however weren’t vaccinated, “My intestine is we’re going to do OK with the BA.2 variant,” Agus advised WTOP.

Vaccination is essential in stopping what’s taking place in Hong Kong from taking place within the U.S.

“The extra individuals are vaccinated, the higher we’re going to do. Our hospitals gained’t be full, and we’ll be capable to look after individuals with different medical points within the nation,” Agus stated.

The vaccines block hospitalization and severe sickness, however what they don’t do is block the power to transmit the virus, Agus stated.

“They work very well on decrease respiratory, which is what hospitalized you, however on higher respiratory, they weren’t pretty much as good, and so it’s nonetheless contagious. So we’ve got to pay attention to each of these issues,” he stated.

Along with the vaccines, there’s additionally Pfizer’s coronavirus capsule, which has been discovered to chop the chance of hospitalization or demise and can be considered efficient in opposition to the omicron variant.

“So if somebody does have vital medical points and does take a look at optimistic, we will deal with them and that may even assist block hospitalization,” Agus stated.

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