Initial data from SA is encouraging regarding the severity of the Covid-19 variant, says US President Joe Biden’s adviser
SA’s surge in Covid-19 cases following the emergence of the omicron variant hasn’t overwhelmed hospitals so far, prompting cautious optimism that the new strain may cause mostly mild illness. Picture: BLOOMBERG
Scientists and public-health officials are scouring available data to try to predict Omicron’s effect as many questions about the new strain and its multiple mutations remain unanswered. The variant, now dominant in SA, has made its way from Tokyo to Oslo since its discovery was announced on November 25.
While the early link between infections and hospitalisations may look encouraging, there also tends to be a time lag between the two occurrences. The UK will require all travellers to take a test within 48 hours of their flight, regardless of their vaccination status. France has tightened testing requirements for visitors from outside the EU. Germany’s Angela Merkel, in her last podcast as chancellor, pleaded with people to take the virus seriously and get vaccinated.
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