While around the world trying to deal with the effects of the Omicron variant, a study by the Universities of Edinburgh and Stratclide from Scotland shows that the new strain causes 66% fewer hospitalizations than the Delta variant.
Also, the encouraging study revealed a 57% reduction in the risk of developing symptoms from omicron infection, for those who received the booster dose.
The first minister, Nicolas Sturgeon, said the data from the study had not yet been peer-reviewed, but they helped build trust around the third dose of the vaccine.
However, the Minister stressed that it is important to remember that a small percentage of a much larger number of cases, may still put pressure on the health system and the economy.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Photo: GettyImages
Similar data are also available in South Africa
Meanwhile, another study published in South Africa, where the omicron strain controls morbidity, shows that the new strain causes between 70 and 80 percent fewer cases of hospitalization than the Delta variant.
According to the researchers, this is also evidence that the omicron does not show significant resistance to the vaccine or antibodies developed by recovery, when it comes to serious illness or death.
A girl is vaccinated against corona in South Africa, Photo: API
However, experts around the world are in no hurry to discard the data seen in South Africa on dealing with the variant in other countries.
The population in South Africa is almost a decade younger than the western countries and the mild climate of the summer months in the southern hemisphere also seem to be helping to lower the morbidity level.
However, data like low hospitalization rate and vulnerability of the vaccine antibody variant can be a good sign for other countries in the world as well.
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