Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

ISS: No Evidence Prove  "Omicron" Variant Is 7  Most Dangerous


Tue 30 Nov 2021 | 12:40 PM
Ahmed Moamar

The Italian Higher Institute of Health (ISS) stressed that "there is still no evidence" that infection with the novel coronavirus (Omicron) mutant causes disease "more serious" than other mutants of the deadly virus.

According to a post on its website on Twitter, the institute indicated that preliminary data indicate a higher rate of hospitalizations in South Africa, but this may be due to the overall increase in infected people rather than specifically Omicron infection.

The institute indicated that, at the present time, there is no information proving that the specific symptoms associated with this type differ from those resulting from the symptoms of other mutant symptoms, according to the Italian agency "AKI".

And experts from the institute pointed out that the initial cases of infection with the new mutant include university students and young people, whose infection is usually milder, but understanding the level of severity of Omicron will take longer (from a few days to a few weeks).

However, it should be noted that all types of Corona, including the Delta mutant that is still prevalent globally, can cause serious illness or death, especially in the most vulnerable people, and therefore prevention measures remain essential.

The President of the Supreme Council of Health in Italy (CSS), Franco Locatelli, had confirmed that "vaccination against the Coronavirus (known also as COVID-19) provides protection for those who take it", and that "until now, no mutant has appeared that is resistant to the effect of vaccines."

Locatelli  indicated, in statements to the Italian "Sky24" channel news bulletin, about the Omicron mutant and regarding the hypothesis of obtaining a fourth dose of vaccination in the near future, that "it cannot be ruled out."

He, who is the coordinator of the Technical Scientific Committee on the State of Health Emergency (CTS) in Italy, stated that the existing vaccines in the world are highly effective.

About the new mutant, he said that he has heard phrases that raise confusion, stressing that nothing is hidden from the people.