Amid the steady rise in the Omicron variant of the Covid-19, researchers have suggested that this variant is capable of becoming a dominant strain after the Delta variant.
According to experts, there is a possibility that it can spread at a more rapid pace than Delta did.
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However, it is believed to be less severe than Delta.
As per reports, cases of Omicron in India have increased to 38 after Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh and Kerala reported first cases among other states.
While early reports suggest that the variation causes only mild infections, there are legitimate concerns regarding its transmissibility and ability to evade vaccines.
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Juliet Pulliam, director of the South African DSI-NSF Centre for Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, told ET that the Omicron COVID variant will spread rapidly in India.
Pulliam said that considering the situation in South Africa, the variant will spread quickly in India.
He explained that though there is little known about the severity caused by the variant, it is believed to be milder with a history of previous infection or vaccination.
People who lack any sort of protective immunity, on the other hand, may suffer illness severity patterns comparable to those seen with previous variants.
In terms of hospital planning, she said that it is prudent to plan for the worst-case scenario.