New York: Coronavirus infection from the Omicron variant is not as mild as it is commonly called, but rather as lethal as other species of Delta, Alpha and Covid-19 that have claimed the lives of thousands of people globally, a study has found. According to a recent study led by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the risk of hospitalization and mortality in cases of infection with the omicron variant of the Covid-19 was “almost the same as the previous wave of the Covid-19.”Also read – Karnataka: Bengaluru leads in number of active cases, health officials on their toes after sharp rise in Covid-19 positivity rate | 10 points
Omicron was first discovered by South African scientists in November last year. It was declared a type of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) later that month and is currently the dominant type globally. The variant was previously reported as more transmissible by numerous studies conducted in the UK, South Africa, Canada and other countries, but was less severe than other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Also read – No more than 4 million Kovid deaths reported in India? Why the WHO claim raises the question of actual numbers
However, Omicron was also reported to be less likely to be hospitalized and cause death. The highly contagious type was found to affect the upper airways more than the lungs, in contrast to the delta, causing common cold-like symptoms. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly warned that it should not be taken lightly. Also read – Omicron can be as serious as previous coronavirus types, assumptions can be misleading: study
“Our analysis suggests that the internal severity of the Omicron variant may be as severe as the previous variant,” claimed researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who conducted the latest study, in a pre-print study.
Covid vaccines help reduce the effect of the Omicron variant
Although there were reports that the immunosuppressive properties of omicron were noted, a new study provided evidence that the vaccines helped protect people from the worst effects of omicron. In the study, the team linked state-level vaccination data with quality-controlled electronic health records from a large healthcare system, including 13 hospitals in Massachusetts.
They then performed a weighted case-control study to compare the risks of hospitalization and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 waves in more than 130,000 Kovid patients. The incidence of hospital admissions and mortality was found to be higher in the earlier waves compared to the Omicron period.
But, the findings of the study suggest that after accounting for those who were confused, including different demographics and vaccination status, “the Omicron variant was just as lethal as the previous SARS-CoV-2 waves”, Zachary H. Researchers, including Strauss, wrote. MGH, in the study.
The team also acknowledged limitations in their report, including the possibility of underestimating the number of patients vaccinated and the total number of infections in more recent covid waves in the analysis, as it excludes patients who underwent rapid tests at home.
(With IANS inputs)
