In a scenario in which the coronavirus would have come to stay, a hopeful path is now opening up. And all eyes are on omicron. With indications about its transmissibility, its ability to evade immune defenses and its virulence, if it is confirmed that this new variant is more contagious but also milder, the situation could turn in our favor.
“If now this variant behaves like a virus that causes us very mild symptoms, we would be saying that it has adapted, which has already achieved that adaptation and, somehow, could it be that end of the pandemic“, explains Juan Gestal, Emeritus Professor of Public Health at the University of Compostela.
Some experts speak of peaceful coexistence. Already present in about 50 countries, and predominant in South Africa, where it has spread very quickly, in a matter of a week the cases have tripled. In this sense, the journalist Graziella Almendral has pointed out in Al Rojo Vivo that “for now, the data are pointing to would not result in a more severe illness than the one caused by the delta variant “.
To date, WHO has not recorded either no deaths caused by this variant of which its origin is a mystery: from domestic or farm animals to immunosuppressed people, and even having been living with the mutation without knowing it. “Another possibility is that this variant had appeared months ago and was circulating in countries where large outbreaks had not occurred and those countries did not have much capacity to detect it,” said Almendral.
While waiting to learn more about its evolution, if omicron does not end up being the panacea, the experts insist on the importance of vaccinating everyone to stop the virus.
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
