Follow us for updates
© 2022 reportr.world
Read the Story →

Omicron Hospitalization Risk Lower Than Delta, Studies Show

Caution remains as the variant is more infectious.
by Agence France Presse
Dec 23, 2021
Photo/s: Reuters/Aly Song
Shares

WASHINGTON -- Two studies from Britain published Wednesday showed COVID-19 infections with Omicron are less likely to result in hospitalization compared to the Delta variant, the latest research confirming a trend first identified in South Africa.

The preliminary studies -- one paper from Scotland and the other from England -- were cautiously welcomed by experts, who nonetheless stressed that any advantage in milder outcomes could still be negated by the new variant's heightened infectiousness, which may still lead to more overall severe cases. 

"We're saying that this is qualified good news -- qualified because these are early observations, they are statistically significant, and we are showing a reduced risk of hospitalizations," Jim McMenamin, a co-author of the Scottish research, told reporters on a call.

ALSO READ:

Omicron: What We Know and What We Don't

Does Omicron Bring Milder COVID Compared to Other Variants?

Omicron Three Times More Likely to Cause Reinfection: Research

Continue reading below ↓

Omicron Likely Picked Up a Piece of the Common Cold Virus

The Scottish paper examined COVID-19 cases recorded in November and December, and grouped them by cases caused by Delta against those caused by Omicron.

It found that "Omicron is associated with a two-thirds reduction in the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization when compared to Delta," while also showing that a booster vaccine offered substantial additional protection against symptomatic infection.

The study was small and there were no people under 60 hospitalized at the time, but the authors said they had adjusted for these limitations using statistical methods.

The second paper, from England, found there was a 20-25% reduction in any attendance at hospital for Omicron compared to Delta, and a 40-45% reduction in hospitalizations lasting one night or longer, in other words "admissions."

The Scottish study only looked at admissions so this may account for part of the difference seen.

Continue reading below ↓
Recommended Videos

Azra Ghani of the Imperial College London, who co-authored the England study, said in a statement: "Whilst the reduced risk of hospitalization with the Omicron variant is reassuring, the risk of infection remains extremely high. 

"With the addition of the booster dose, vaccines continue to offer the best protection against infection and hospitalization."

Neither of the studies has been peer reviewed, but they add to growing evidence about disease outcomes with Omicron.

It remains unclear whether the decreased rate of severe cases seen with Omicron is because of characteristics of the variant, or whether it appears milder because it is coming up against populations with greater immunity from prior infection and from vaccination.

Penny Ward, a professor of pharmaceutical medicine at King's College London, who was not involved in the research, said: "This news does not detract from the extraordinary spread of this variant across the population, and the fact that even a small proportion of people needing hospital care for COVID may become a very large number indeed if the community attack rate continues to escalate."

Continue reading below ↓

Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.

Latest Headlines
Read Next
Recent News
Down to one week plus three days of home monitoring.
With the reopening of several local destinations, this app has never been more timely.
The first from his family to represent the province's first district.
The news. So what? Subscribe to the newsletter that explains what the news means for you.
The email address you entered is invalid.
Thank you for signing up to On Three, reportr's weekly newsletter delivered to your mailbox three times a week. Only the latest, most useful and most insightful reads.
By signing up to reportr.world newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.