SARS-CoV-2 will continue to mutate beyond Omicron as it adapts
The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus is almost certainly not the final iteration of SARS-CoV-2 that the world will face, says a technical study published in the journal Science.…
UK study finds no change in COVID biology
An analysis of 120,000 Delta cases and 15,000 suspected Omicron cases found that people infected with Omicron were no more likely to be asymptomatic than those infected with Delta, a…
Natural immunity a factor in Omicron severity
A leading USA physician and researcher says there’s no firm evidence yet that the Omicron variant is less lethal to unprotected humans than prior strains of the COVID-19. Dr. Eric…
Pfizer’s breakthrough PAXLOVID pill 90% effective against severe COVID-19
In a breakthrough against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, drug maker Pfizer has announced that its oral product PAXLOVID was shown to be highly effective in keeping people out of hospital after…
South African study finds lower risk of severe disease with Omicron
South Africa’s Discovery Health has investigated the Omicron variant’s clinical impact relative to other SARS-CoV-2 variants. This was a major study involving 211,000 COVID-19 test results. The report was released…
Swiss data: death rate 11 times higher among unvaccinated
During the week of Dec 4 new data shows unvaccinated people in Switzerland are 11 times more likely to die from COVID than those fully vaccinated. Switzerland has fully vaccinated…
Omicron genome data reported from six continents, 42 nations
As of Dec 9, 42 countries shared 1355 Omicron genome sequence data with unprecedented speed … MORE HERE from GSAID
WHO Chief Medical Officer says Omicron could be milder than Delta
Early data indicates Omicron may more easily reinfect people who’ve previously had the virus or been vaccinated – but could also cause milder disease than earlier versions of the virus,…
mRNA drug-maker says 4th shot may be needed
Roll up your sleeve. Drugmaker Pfizer’s CEO said a fourth shot of the vaccine may be needed sooner than expected to neutralize the Omicron variant. Preliminary research found that the…
Risk some rapid tests may not detect Omicron: UK expert
Rupert Beale, in the LRB, says if the Omicron mutation appears to be ‘milder’ than other variants we’ve seen so far – that’s usually because of partial immunity in previously…