75% of Omicron Cases in US Are Vaccinated... Most Mild Symptoms

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The vaccine evasion ability and relatively mild symptoms of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron have been confirmed in investigations by U.S. health authorities.

On the 8th (local time), the Associated Press quoted an interview with Rochelle Walensky, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reporting that 43 Omicron variant infections have been identified in 19 states across the U.S. so far.

According to Director Walensky, three-quarters of the infected patients were vaccinated individuals.

In particular, one-third of the infected had received booster shots in addition to the standard vaccination regimen recommended by health authorities to enhance immunity.

This high rate of breakthrough infections aligns with research findings suggesting that the Omicron variant weakens the infection prevention effectiveness of existing vaccines.

Among the infected in the U.S., one-third had traveled abroad, indicating that community transmission is already actively occurring.

The symptoms of Omicron variant infections have also been observed to be relatively mild in the U.S.

Director Walensky stated that the main symptoms so far are cough, congestion, and fatigue, and based on most patient cases, the severity is "mild."

She noted that one Omicron-infected patient is currently hospitalized, but there have been no deaths.

However, Director Walensky cautioned that data is still very limited, and definitive conclusions about the characteristics of the Omicron variant are being withheld.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Omicron variant has been confirmed in at least 57 countries so far.

Scientists are studying how easily the Omicron variant spreads, whether it causes more severe illness compared to other variants, and whether it can evade antibodies or vaccines in COVID-19 patients.