South African Medical Body Claims That Omicron Variant Causes 'Mild Disease'

New Covid Variant: "It (Omicron variant) presents mild disease with symptoms," said the head of the South African Medical Association.

Representational Image. (File Photo)

New Delhi: Angelique Coetzee, the head of the South African Medical Association, said that the novel Omicron version of the coronavirus causes moderate sickness with few symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated the new South African strain as a ‘variant of concern’ on Friday, citing the fact that it has a high number of mutations (32), potentially making it more transmissible and hazardous. The WHO has given it the name Omicron, which is the Greek alphabet's 15th letter.

"It (Omicron variant) presents mild disease with symptoms being sore muscles and tiredness for a day or two not feeling well. So far, we have detected that those infected do not suffer the loss of taste or smell. They might have a slight cough. There are no prominent symptoms. Of those infected some are currently being treated at home," Coetzee was quoted by ANI in its report.

Hospitals have not been swamped by Omicron patients, according to the official, and the new strain has not been discovered among vaccinated people. Those who have not been vaccinated, on the other hand, may face a different predicament.

"We will only know this after two weeks. Yes, it is transmissible, but for now, as medical practitioners, we do not know why so much hype is being driven as we are still looking into it. We will only know after two to three weeks as there are some patients admitted and these are young people aged 40 and younger," Coetzee further added.

Coetzee also slammed several nations for banning flights from South Africa, claiming that there is little evidence on how hazardous the virus is.

Following reports of the new covid-19 variant, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Israel, Australia, and other countries have imposed travel restrictions on numerous southern African countries due to health concerns.

(With inputs from ANI)