Early indications suggest most Omicron coronavirus cases are “mild”, an official at the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the official said there is no evidence to suggest the efficacy of vaccines has been reduced by the new strain – but did say some mutations of the virus indicate an increased risk of quicker transmission.
They said more than 40 different mutations have been identified with the Omicron variant.
The WHO official, quoted by Reuters, added there is still a lot unknown about the new strain, but the early indications suggest that most cases are “mild”.
Giving evidence at the government’s science and technology committee on Wednesday, Professor Neil Ferguson, said it could be towards “the end of the month” before there is a clearer picture of how worrying Omicron is.
