Omicron hospital admission rate is low, a British study has found

Two studies conducted in the UK and published on Wednesday show that infections with the omicron variant of COVID-19 are less likely to be hospitalized compared to the delta variant, confirming the trend that first appeared in South Africa.

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These preliminary studies – one from Scotland and the other from England – were welcomed by experts, but they were cautious and suggested that the variant’s high transmission rate could lead to even more cases.

“What we are saying is that this is good news with micro-skills – with micro-skills it is early observation, they are statistically important and we reduce the risk of hospitalization,” Jim McMennamin, co-author of the Scottish study, told reporters by phone.

Scottish research examined cases registered in November and December and divided them into two groups: Delta on one side and Omicron on the other.

According to the study, “Omicron is associated with a two-thirds reduction in hospital risk for Kovid-19 compared to Delta”.

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It has also been shown that a booster dose provides significant additional protection against symptomatic infection.

This is a small study that has not been seen in hospitalized and people under the age of 60, but the authors say they have adjusted to those limitations using statistical methods.

The second study, from England, found a 20-25% reduction in hospital stays for Omicron and a 40-45% reduction in overnight stay (“admissions”) compared to Delta.

The Scottish study only saw admissions.

“Despite the promise of reducing the risk of hospitalization with the Omicron variant, the risk of infection is much higher,” warns Azra Ghani of Imperial College London, co-author of the English study.

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“By adding a booster dose, vaccines continue to provide the best protection against infection and hospitalization.”

No study has yet been reviewed by Peer, but they have added growing evidence about Omicron.

It is not clear whether the reduction in the rate of severe cases observed with Omicron was due to the symptoms of the variant, or whether it was due to vaccination or the fact that the population with a higher immunity was more likely to be ill with Kovid. Last.

“This news does not preclude the extraordinary spread of this variation in the population and even the small number of individuals who require hospital care for Kovid may vary greatly depending on the rate of spread.