While Omicron has sent US infections soaring to levels not seen since last winter's wave, it appears to have less severe effects than the delta variant, according to a handful of international studies and early data from several US hospitals. A separate study from Britain, which is not yet peer reviewed, found that people infected with Omicron were almost 60 per cent less likely to enter the hospital than those infected with delta. "What is absolutely clear is there is lower rate of hospitalisation with our Omicron patients in our hospital system," Musser said. "That does not necessarily mean that this variant is quote-unquote 'less virulent.' What we know now is that ... if you are immunised and, more importantly, if you are boosted, you're going to stay out of substantial trouble."

Source: Stuff December 29, 2021 21:22 UTC