Severe COVID-19 Symptoms From Omicron Could be More Dangerous Compared to Other Strains

Several studies have argued that the omicron variant is not all that, but a recent study suggests that having the worst symptoms of this virus can be more dangerous than before.

Known for its high transmissibility, the omicron variant is feared to cause another severe outbreak. However, it had been tested and proven that mild Covid-19 symptoms of the disease could actually be beneficial as far as immunity is concerned.

With this given, it is still too early to tell that prevention should be relaxed, especially that new findings reveal that severe covid-19 infection from omicron is too risky. Since this variant of multiple mutations is new, health officials do not have much control over its treatment.

Heavy strain on hospital systems

"Once someone is so sick as to require hospital treatment, doctors may have fewer options available for Omicron than for its antecedents. Previous strains could often be treated with drugs called monoclonal antibodies. Omicron seems oblivious to most of these, and supplies of those that do affect it, newly developed versions made by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology, are limited," The Economist wrote.

"The infectiousness of Omicron and the consequent speed of its spread mean that hospitals around the world are wary of an onslaught of admissions happening at a time when many staff are unavailable because they, too, have been infected. All this could have an effect on care."

Researchers at Columbia University further suggests that variant has been known to evade COVID-19 vaccines, natural antibodies from previous COVID-19 infections, and even booster shots. However, it does generally have less severe COVID-19 symptoms and hospitalizations if you received vaccination.

While it was mentioned that the omicron variant could lead to severe COVID-19 symptoms, the worst-case scenario for the unvaccinated is death.

Leaving unvaccinated individuals "in a troubled place"

In a with medical advisers and Vice President Kamala Harris about the pandemic, US President Joe Biden said that "the U.S. is in a better spot to deal with omicron than before."

"But it's here now and it's spreading, and it's gonna increase."

For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death ... for themselves, their families and the hospitals they'll soon overwhelm," Biden added. "But there's good news. If you're vaccinated, and you have your booster shot, you're protected from severe illness and death, period."

Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a prediction of a COVID-19 cases wave in January 2022, likely brought on by the combination of the omicron variant and the delta variant.

"I'm a lot more alarmed. I'm worried," said Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

This week, the Supreme Court will hear two of Joe Biden's key policies on federal vaccine mandates which had encountered various obstacles, facing an issue whether the federal government has the authority to craft and enforce the said mandates.

The Biden administration officials have said that they are ready to defend the policies and confident about their legal footing.