Washington: Data from two studies suggests that COVID-19 patients infected with the fast-spreading Omicron variant are less likely to require hospitalisation compared to those infected by the deadly Delta v
ariant.
Both the studies were published in Britain, one from Scotland and the other from England.
“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 hospitalisations,” Jim McMenamin, co-author of the Scottish research, told reporters, the AFP reported.
The Scottish paper found that “Omicron is associated with a two-thirds reduction in the risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation when compared to Delta,” while also showing that a booster vaccine offered substantial additional protection, the AFP reported.
The second paper, from England, found there was a 20-25 per cent reduction in hospital visits for Omicron compared to Delta, and a 40-45 percent reduction in hospitalisation.
Both the studies are yet to be peer reviewed.