Omicron: 70% Less Likely To Need Hospital

Scientists give first reports into new strain a cautious welcome

- Dan Bloom

PEOPLE infected with the Omicron variant are 50 to 70% less likely to be admitted to hospital than those with the Delta strain.

Someone with Omicron is also 31% to 45% less likely to attend A&E compared to Delta, the UK's Health Security Agency said.

UKHSA chief executive Dr Jenny Harries hailed the data as an “encouragingly early signal” that those who contract Omicron “may be” at lower risk.

But she also warned it was early data and more research is required to confirm these findings”.

It is thought there are several caveats - including that the analysis of those in taken to hospital was only based on about 100 cases. The real range could be more like 30% to 70%, UKHSA officials believe. The UKHSA said: This analysis is preliminary and highly uncertain because of the small numbers of Omicron cases in hospital, inability to effectively measure all previous infections and the limited spread of Omicron into older age groups.

Dr Harries also warned the more transmissible strain could still lead to “a significant number of people” entering hospital - even if it's milder.