The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Tuesday that the Omicron variant of Covid–19 is expected to infect more than half of Europeans, but it should not be considered as a flu-like endemic illness at this time. In the first week of 2022, Europe reported over 7 million new cases, which is more than double the number from two weeks ago, according to WHO’s Europe director Hans Kluge.
Kluge mentioned that if this trend continues, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicts that over 50% of the population in the region will be infected with Omicron in the next 6-8 weeks. This prediction comes from a research center at the University of Washington. Out of 53 countries in Europe and central Asia, 50 have already recorded cases of the highly infectious variant, as stated by Kluge.
However, there is evidence emerging that Omicron is affecting the upper respiratory tract more than the lungs, resulting in milder symptoms compared to previous variants. The first cases of Omicron were reported in Georgia at the end of December, and according to the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), none of the infected patients have required resuscitation assistance so far.
In conclusion, the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly in Europe, and it is expected to infect a significant portion of the population. However, it is important to note that the symptoms are milder compared to previous variants. The first cases in Georgia have not required resuscitation, which is a positive sign.
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