Covid-19: How dangerous is Omicron?

Synopsis

As the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron, spreads around the world, countries like Britain, Germany, and Italy report their first cases. Researchers warn that Omicron could be the most infectious variant observed so far, raising concerns about its impact on the global fight against COVID-19. The variant is designated as a variant of concern due to a large number of mutations in its spike protein, particularly in the binding domain where antibodies attach to prevent infection. While it remains uncertain if Omicron causes more severe disease than the Delta variant, preliminary evidence suggests it may not be deadlier. However, it is likely to erode the immunity provided by vaccines more significantly than previous variants, posing new challenges in managing the pandemic.