Omicron not mild, hospitalising and killing people: WHO

7 January 2022, 1:36 pm

While Omicron does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorised as ‘mild’ as just like previous variants, Omicron is hospitalising people and it is killing people, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday.

In fact, the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick, that it is overwhelming health systems around the world, he stressed.

Hospitals are becoming overcrowded and understaffed, which further results in preventable deaths from not only Covid-19 but other diseases and injuries where patients cannot receive timely care, saidGhebreyesus.

According to him, first-generation vaccines may not stop all infections and transmission but they remain highly effective in reducing hospitalisation and death from this virus.

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