• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Coronavirus

Study suggests Omicron less severe even for unvaccinated

15 January 2022, 4:09 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Syringes with needles are seen in front of a displayed stock graph and words "Omicron SARS-CoV-2" in this illustration taken, November 27, 2021.

Syringes with needles are seen in front of a displayed stock graph and words "Omicron SARS-CoV-2" in this illustration taken, November 27, 2021.

Image: Reuters

Syringes with needles are seen in front of a displayed stock graph and words "Omicron SARS-CoV-2" in this illustration taken, November 27, 2021.

 Unvaccinated people infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus may be less prone to severe illness and requiring hospital care or dying than was the case with previous variants, a South African study showed on Friday.

The study, by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in the Western Cape region, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, concluded. compared about 11,600 patients from the first three COVID-19 waves with about 5,100 from the Omicron-driven wave that began in November.

Omicron globally has tended to cause less severe disease, and proportionally fewer hospital admissions and deaths, than previous variants.

Scientists are trying to determine the extent to which this is because of higher immunity rates engendered by vaccination or past illness, or Omicron is intrinsically less nasty.

The study concluded that about a quarter of the reduced risk of severe disease with Omicron was attributable to characteristics of the virus itself.

“In the Omicron-driven wave, severe COVID-19 outcomes were reduced mostly due to protection conferred by prior infection and/or vaccination, but intrinsically reduced virulence may account for an approximately 25% reduced risk of severe hospitalisation or death compared to Delta,” the study said.

COVID-19 cases in SA

South Africa has reported 5 244 new COVID-19 cases, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 3 552 043. This increase represents a 13% positivity rate.

Due to the ongoing audit exercise by the National Department of Health (NDoH), there may be a backlog of COVID-19 mortality cases reported. Today, the NDoH reports 128 deaths and of these, 59 occurred in the past 24 – 48 hours. This brings the total fatalities to 93 117 to date.

Latest SA stats:

Loading...

Loading…

Share article
Tags: Omicron variant
Previous Post

Djokovic poised for final round of Australian visa battle

Next Post

EMA lists rare spinal condition as side effect of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 shot

Related Posts

Cooling towers are pictured at a coal-based power station owned by Eskom in Duhva, South Africa, February 18, 2020.

COSATU calls for state of emergency due to ongoing electricity crisis

7 July 2022, 9:12 AM
File Photo of SAFTU members protesting economic woes in SA

SAFTU plans national shutdown against rising cost of living

7 July 2022, 9:06 AM
A person works next to a paraffin lamp.

North West families blame Eskom’s rolling blackouts for death of two children

7 July 2022, 8:00 AM

CORONAVIRUS: Your daily update

7 July 2022, 7:09 AM
File Image: Former  Tembisa police officer Rosemary Nomia Ndlovu, talks to her legal representative.

Convicted serial killer Rosemary Ndlovu back in court

7 July 2022, 5:24 AM
FILE PHOTO: People wearing face masks following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak walk on a shopping street in Shanghai, China, December 14, 2021.

China reports 409 new COVID-19 cases for July 6 vs 427 day earlier

7 July 2022, 4:50 AM
Next Post
Vials labelled "Astra Zeneca COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccine" and a syringe are seen in front of a displayed AstraZeneca logo, in this illustration photo taken March 14, 2021.

EMA lists rare spinal condition as side effect of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 shot

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • Police officers may soon not be allowed weekends off
  • Missing Soweto boy’s body found at Eldorado Park wastewater plant
  • Police close investigation into Enyobeni tavern tragedy
  • Taxi commuters to pay an additional R5 in fare from Friday
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • Police officers may soon not be allowed weekends off
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Cooling towers are pictured at a coal-based power station owned by Eskom in Duhva, South Africa, February 18, 2020.
  • South Africa

COSATU calls for state of emergency due to ongoing electricity crisis


File Photo of SAFTU members protesting economic woes in SA
  • South Africa

SAFTU plans national shutdown against rising cost of living


Farm workers busy at work.
  • Business

Eskom’s rolling blackouts seriously disrupting farming: Agri SA


Vegetarian sausages from Beyond Meat Inc, the vegan burger maker, are shown for sale at a market in Encinitas, California, US, June 5, 2019.
  • Business

Meat association in support of correct labelling for plant-based foods


A person works next to a paraffin lamp.
  • South Africa

North West families blame Eskom’s rolling blackouts for death of two children


Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane attending an event.
  • Politics

PP’s office to release statement on withdrawal of application to reverse Mkhwebane’s suspension


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Djokovic poised for final round of Australian visa battle
Next EMA lists rare spinal condition as side effect of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 shot