WHO says has no data on Omicron’s ability to cause more severe disease than other strains - TASS

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday it has no data on the potential ability of the new SARS-CoV-2 new variant, Omicron, to cause a more severe disease that other coronavirus variants.

"It is not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta. Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron," the WHO said in its Sunday’s update on Omicron.

Apart from that, the WHO also said it has no information indicating that Omicron-associated symptoms differ from those caused by other strains.

According to the WHO, there is no clarity about Omicron’s transmissibility either. "It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors," it said.

The WHO also said that preliminary data indicates an "increased risk" of reinfection with the Omicron strain as compared with other variants of concern. However, it admitted that information on that matter is limited.

The organization confirmed that the existing PCR tests can identify the new strain. As for the efficacy of coronavirus vaccines, it said it "is working with technical partners to understand the potential impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures, including vaccines."