Is omicron a less severe COVID variant? | DW News

Nearly two years into the pandemic, many countries are once again ramping up COVID restrictions, in response to the rapid spread of the omicron variant. In the US, hospitals and health workers are bracing for an expected surge after the holidays. And across the Atlantic, large parts of Europe are re-imposing partial lockdowns to curb record numbers of new cases.

Germany has imposed restrictions on private gatherings and barred spectators from public events ahead of New Year celebrations. The German parliament also approved a vaccine mandate for medical staff earlier this month.

Thousands of people demonstrated on Monday against the new restrictions.
In recent weeks, demonstrations against COVID measures have flared up across Germany — and often turned violent, with police officers injured and protesters arrested.

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#Omicron #COVID19 #Quarantine

[TheKraken]

Misleading title. I watched to hear discussion of whether Omicron was less severe. This was barely discussed.

[MediaFaust]

By far the best English language channel out there. How ironic is that?

[alancarre]

I almost spit my drink out laughing at "...to minimize if not *eliminate* the spread of this variant?". Eliminate Omicron spread? Good grief.

[MauriceYou]

This is so boring.. the pandemic will never end as long as the majority fail to see who is profiting off this and continue to. I am personally extremely bored of it and was over a year ago. We are being pushed vaccines that we know don't really work and will forever need a new one☝

[johnocampo]

Less severe doesnt mean safe for everyone

[ramonareinhold]

It is more contatious, but less severe and most people heal in 3 days at home.
Media is blowing it out of control. Its all about money

[jelenastevanovic]

There is already a lot of data from South Africa, but the western world media seems just to ignore it and spin the story into ongoing fear and panic.
Follow other sources, for example Dr. John Campbell, daily unbiased revision of all data and research papers available.
Stay healthy and stay free!

[joehudson]

Better go wait in line for hours to get a test for a sickness you dont even know if u have or not....sounds like an intelligent idea

[klimankhmeron]

DW now becoming a cheap tabloid, raising the same question in the last 15 videos about variant. We were told already from the beginning by the SA doctors that it's not deadly.

[stephanievangossen]

The medical article I read said the CDC shortened quarantine was for “asymptomatic” people that have Covid. That needs to be clarified.

[WaleedHiggins]

Yes, omicron is a much less severe covid variant. Very few deaths from it.

[thunduh.]

Still waiting to see if it truely is less severe and if so will the long covid cases be less severe as well? I personally know people with debilitating symptoms lasting many months from previous variants.

[ajaykumarsrinivasan]

One of the rarest Chinese products to last this long. Great job by the Chinese and their beautiful govt

[ulrikethein]

WE SOUTHAFRICANS
HAVE NOT LOST OUR INNER
W I S D O M.

WE STAY HEALTHY
W I T H O U T
VACCINATIONS ‼

[konradtank]

Looking at the data from the UK - ýes it is much less severe and Boris Johnson & Co have decided not to cancel New Year's celebrations with further restrictions. Around 160.000 tested positive (real number much higher) with Omicron and 39 related deaths does not promote any lockdowns.

[baltazargabka]

""For the first time in history the ineffectiveness of a medicine is being blamed on those who refuse to take it."

[damianvisser]

I'm not vaccinated, and am now in my third day with omicron.

Today someone wished me a speedy recovery, and I said: "From what? There's nothing wrong with me!"'.

I haven't taken any medication, not even a paracetamol.

[honesttruth]

Another record set today Dec 29th. According to worldometer France is leading with +170, 807, US +159, 608 and UK +129, 471. Indonesia is lagging behind at +278 and China lost today tally at +209. Total cases in China since pandemy 101, 486. With this figure China fails to take the lead. Note that currently USA successfully maintains number one with 53, 979, 608 cases.

[HM-rfyh]

We do know Biden is reading a screen.. and can't remember where is office is.

[Just_another_Euro_dude]

I barely survived delta variant only two months ago, fought it for half a month and needed another 15 days to get back to normal. I really do think that i must have some astronomical amount of antibodies in my system.