"Omicron Variant Causes Milder Symptoms Even in Unvaccinated Individuals," South African Researchers Announce

Vaccination.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] A study has found that unvaccinated individuals infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 experience less severe symptoms compared to infections with previous variants.

On the 14th, Bloomberg reported that a research team led by Professor Mary Ann-Davis at the University of Cape Town in South Africa obtained these results from a recent study involving COVID-19 patients at public hospitals in the Western Cape Province. The researchers compared over 11,000 people infected during the previous three waves, including the Delta variant, with about 5,000 people infected during the fourth wave caused by the Omicron variant.

The research team announced that the rate of hospitalization or death within two weeks of diagnosis during the fourth wave was 8%, which is lower than the 16.5% observed during the previous three waves. They added, "The risk of death among patients during the fourth wave significantly decreased compared to previous waves," but also explained that "when considering prior infections or vaccinations, the degree of reduction was diluted."

Bloomberg noted that hospitalization and mortality rates in South Africa due to the Omicron variant have not been high so far, and this study supports the claim that while the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, it is less deadly. However, since about 25% of the South African population has been vaccinated and 70?80% have already been infected with COVID-19, there is a possibility that the risk of the Omicron variant has not been fully assessed. The researchers interpreted this by stating, "The most severe outcomes (such as death) are expected to decrease during the fourth wave," suggesting "a possible reduction in the virulence of the Omicron variant."

Meanwhile, South African authorities announced on the same day that receiving a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine from Janssen, a subsidiary of the U.S. pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (J&J), can prevent 85% of hospitalizations caused by Omicron variant infections. Glenda Gray, chairperson of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), evaluated that this effect was observed for 1 to 2 months after receiving the Janssen vaccine booster shot, based on a survey of approximately 470,000 people.