Finance Inquirer
No Result
View All Result
Sunday, May 29, 2022
  • Login
  • Home
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Finance
  • Stock Market
  • Submit a News Releases
Subscribe
Finance Inquirer
  • Home
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Finance
  • Stock Market
  • Submit a News Releases
No Result
View All Result
Finance Inquirer
No Result
View All Result
Home Finance

South African Researchers Say Omicron Might Mark The End Of COVID Pandemic

Tom Hagler by Tom Hagler
07.01.2022
in Finance
South African Researchers Say Omicron Might Mark The End Of COVID Pandemic
152
SHARES
1.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

South African Researchers Say Omicron Might Mark The End Of COVID Pandemic

In late November, as the early details of the South African variant emerged (more transmissible, and “extremely mild”), we noted that this “could be a blessing in disguise as it pushes out the much more dangerous (and more stable) delta strain,” and could mark the beginning of the end of the global fearmongering over a virus that over 99% of the infected are expected to survive.

And now, a team of researchers from South Africa confirmed Friday that omicron might mark the end of the COVID pandemic (before SARS-CoV-2 simply becomes another endemic, largely seasonal sickness), shrouding the present global surge in a patina of optimism.

To wit, a study of patients infected with COVID at a large hospital in Pretoria, the city where the first outbreak of the omicron variant was recorded, revealed a short-lived wave that moved with “unprecedented speed” and caused much milder illness than earlier strains.

“If this pattern continues and is repeated globally, we are likely to see a complete decoupling of case and death rates,” the researchers said.

And for the sickest patients, the study showed that just 4.5% of patients hospitalized with COVID died during the current wave compared with 21% in earlier waves, according to a statement on the website of the South African Medical Research Council. What’s more, this time around, fewer people were admitted to hospital ICUs, and hospital stays were “significantly shorter.” Initially, the rate of admissions climbed rapidly, but it began to decline within 33 days of the first omicron admission analyzed. A snapshot of patients in the hospital on Dec. 14 and 15 showed that almost two-thirds of those infected with COVID had been admitted for other reasons (raising further questions about how many of the deaths they reported should really be considered “COVID deaths”.

Ultimately, the study at Biko analyzed records of 466 patients from the current wave and 3,976 from previous waves of the pandemic. It also found the following, according to Bloomberg:

  • Hospital stays averaged 4 days compared with 8.8 in previous waves

  • The mean age of those admitted was 39 compared with almost 50 in earlier waves

  • Admissions to intensive-care units dropped to 1% of patients from 4.3%

  • Admissions peaked at 108 compared with 213 during the delta wave

Now that cases are plunging in South Africa, the researchers were able to confirm that the omicron wave had “a lower admission per case ratio, lower death rate and lower rates of admission to the ICU compared to previous waves.”

The researchers at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria said this behavior could be a sign that the pandemic is coming to an end.

That suggests “omicron may be a harbinger of the end of the epidemic phase of the Covid pandemic, ushering in its endemic phase.”

Think about it. All these people who are sick right now (it seems like practically the entire world has fallen ill with COVID over the past month, whether they had been vaccinated or not) will emerge with more antibodies and more natural protection that humans have needed to build in order to protect themselves from the virus long term.

Just take a look at COVID cases vs. deaths in the US; while the number of people sickened and calling out of work has created congestion across the economy (and forced hospitals in some states to turn to the National Guard for assistance), far fewer people are dying due to omicron, which is believed to be the variant behind nearly all of the new cases being diagnosed in the US, and elsewhere.

Airline stocks in the US are now headed for their best week since November thanks to the newfound optimism.

Data from South Africa, the first country to report the arrival of omicron, is being closely watched by the rest of the world for any insights into how the omicron wave might pan out. As we noted a week ago, South Africa dialed back its COVID restrictions after new cases cratered.

All of this supports what the WHO and its leader, Dr. Tedros Adhanom, said about booster shots. While President Biden and the CDC open the door to second booster jabs (the CDC just cut the recommended time between shots to 5 months from 6), the WHO has warned against it, saying shots should first go to the developing world, and that no country could “boost” its way out of the pandemic.

Although if the South Africa data is any guide, pretty soon they won’t have to.

Tyler Durden Fri, 01/07/2022 – 14:01

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Boeing and Pfizer are among the companies and trade groups to have donated $8 million to Republicans who voted against certifying Biden’s election victory, a report says

Boeing and Pfizer are among the companies and trade groups to have donated $8 million to Republicans who voted against certifying Biden’s election victory, a report says

04.01.2022
Twitter Suspends mRNA Inventor Dr. Robert Malone

Twitter Suspends mRNA Inventor Dr. Robert Malone

29.12.2021
Anesthesiologist Salary in the USA.

Anesthesiologist Salary in the USA

24.01.2022
3 planes are flying potatoes into Japan to help tackle the country’s shortage of fries, which has caused McDonald’s to ration servings

3 planes are flying potatoes into Japan to help tackle the country’s shortage of fries, which has caused McDonald’s to ration servings

29.12.2021
Take the best photos of your life with the new vivo Y76 5G now available

Take the best photos of your life with the new vivo Y76 5G now available

Complete your Christmas shopping with up to 75% off on devices at vivo’s Big Christmas Sale on Shopee

Complete your Christmas shopping with up to 75% off on devices at vivo’s Big Christmas Sale on Shopee

AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2 – What’s the Difference?

AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2 – What’s the Difference?

Want to be a content creator? Here are 5 valuable tips from today’s top Pinoy online celebrities

Want to be a content creator? Here are 5 valuable tips from today’s top Pinoy online celebrities

Crypto Pirates launches NFT sale that provides early access to the P2E game

Crypto Pirates launches NFT sale that provides early access to the P2E game

19.05.2022
The Dow Jones is down for the sixth week in a row. The Nasdaq has lost 25% of its highs. Which stocks to buy?

The Dow Jones is down for the sixth week in a row. The Nasdaq has lost 25% of its highs. Which stocks to buy?

19.05.2022
The Dow Jones is down for the sixth week in a row. The Nasdaq has lost 25% of its highs. Which stocks to buy?

The Dow Jones is down for the sixth week in a row. The Nasdaq has lost 25% of its highs. Which stocks to buy?

19.05.2022
Poland also wants a little bit of Ukraine. How a little? A couple or three regions.

Poland also wants a little bit of Ukraine. How a little? A couple or three regions.

19.05.2022

Recent News

Crypto Pirates launches NFT sale that provides early access to the P2E game

Crypto Pirates launches NFT sale that provides early access to the P2E game

19.05.2022
The Dow Jones is down for the sixth week in a row. The Nasdaq has lost 25% of its highs. Which stocks to buy?

The Dow Jones is down for the sixth week in a row. The Nasdaq has lost 25% of its highs. Which stocks to buy?

19.05.2022

Categories

  • Business
  • Finance
  • Stock Market
  • Technology
  • Без рубрики

Site Navigation

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Submit a News Releases
Finance Inquirer

We offer multimedia features, easy channel navigation, strong social media presence and numerous engagement platforms that allow the readers to experience content anytime, anywhere, always.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Finance
  • Stock Market
  • Submit a News Releases

© 2021 financeinquirer.com

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In