The Omicron Variant: Prevalence, Transmissibility, and Pathogenicity

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The Omicron variant that caused a huge surge in COVID-19 infections worldwide has been studied in terms of prevalence, infectivity, and virulency. The first study conducted in South Africa showed the low pathogenic nature of the Omicron variant compared to the Delta and original Wuhan variants. The deaths, ICU admissions, length of the hospital stay, and also the need of oxygen support all reduced greatly in Omicron infected patients as compared to the earlier variants. The share of the Omicron variant in Delhi (India) rose rapidly. In two weeks (December 21, 2021-January 3, 2022), the omicron prevalence increased from 38% to 81%. Because of the Omicron variant, in the last week of January 2022, Delhi’s caseload surged nine folds. The cases analysed in Delhi, Mumbai, and throughout India revealed that the number of deaths during the Omicron wave was much lower compared to the Delta and Wuhan variants.