World Health Organization Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out today that preliminary data show that compared to previous variants, Omicron variants may be more likely to reinfect people who have been infected or vaccinated, but the resulting illness may be milder.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that new data from South Africa shows that the COVID-19 Omicron variant has a higher risk of re-infection.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also pointed out that there is also some evidence that, compared to the Delta variant, the Omicron variant causes a milder disease. But he also emphasized that more data is needed before reaching a definitive conclusion.
He warned that even if it turns out that Omicron caused a mild illness, should not relax the vigilance against the epidemic. He warned that complacency will pay the price of life.