South African Health Department: "Omicron Mild Symptoms but Highly Contagious"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The South African government has presented the view that symptoms of those infected with the COVID-19 variant 'Omicron' are generally milder than those of previous COVID-19 infections. The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa in November.

According to Yonhap News on the 8th, Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the South African Department of Health, said in an interview with Yonhap News, "The Omicron variant is highly contagious and spreads easily," adding, "So far, symptoms appear to be milder in most infected cases."

According to spokesperson Mohale, the Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa on November 25, initially spreading among people in their 20s in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, but it has now spread nationwide.

Spokesperson Mohale said, "The Omicron variant is more prevalent among those aged 40 and under," and added, "There are not many infected children under the age of 2, and most appear to have been infected accidentally."