By Bond Robertson 
The new Omikron variant was first discovered in South Africa, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says it is “spreading at a speed not seen with any previous variant”.
New injury record
Infection rates in South Africa hit a new record this week, and the number of new infections does not appear to be dropping immediately.
This is how both mutants can destroy them
The good news is that there are fewer admissions to hospitals than in previous waves of the epidemic.
Hospital admissions are not increasing at the same dramatic pace as previous waves of infections, says Michelle Groome of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NICD) in South Africa.
Slight increase in death rates
– We are seeing an increase, but there is a relatively small increase in the number of deaths, she continues.
South African Health Minister Jo Bhala believes the lower number of hospitalizations is due to the country’s vaccination coverage, especially among the elderly. About 31 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, but the figure is 66 percent among those over 60.
“We don’t necessarily think Omicron is a less violent virus, but vaccination coverage and natural immunity for people who have had previous contact with the virus also contribute to protection,” Health Minister Joe Bhalla said.
– That’s why we see a picture of a milder disease.
About 44 percent of the adult population in South Africa has received at least one dose of the vaccine. It is above the average among African countries, but below the authorities’ target, according to the news agency Reuters.
Settlement with non-vaccinators: – What is the benefit?
The omikron variant is now as prevalent as the delta was before. In South Africa, just over 80 percent of all COVID-19 cases now occur, and Omicron is spreading rapidly across the world.
In its weekly report on corona infection, FHI writes that although the delta variant is still prevalent in most parts of the world with a prevalence of about 99 percent, it has risen very quickly to 82 percent prevalence in South Africa.
In Asia, it would seem that the alpha variant is still almost there. 1.4 percent of the samples. Since this summer, the delta variant completely dominated in Norway until the end of November, when import cases and several outbreaks of the omicron variant were also found.
South Africa on Wednesday recorded the highest infection rate through the pandemic, as a result of the omicron variant that is spreading rapidly in the country.
South African Health Minister Jo Bhala believes the lower number of hospitalizations is due to the country’s vaccination coverage, especially among the elderly. About 31 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, but the figure is 66 percent among those over 60.