LittleGreyCat

Consider, of course, that if 100 people catch Delta and one dies, this is possibly less serious that if 10,000 catch Omicron and ten die.
Deaths per infection may be lower, but total deaths (and long covid) could be higher.

Charismatic

And vice versa. More than likely reopening will mean we get it anyway so it's a "now of later" question rather than a "yes or no" question.

MrsFychan

I wonder about reinfection is, if Omicron does cause milder infection would that aid Delta and visa versa

Charismatic

That typically seems to be what happens, the variant that spreads fastest out competes others.

It's the physiological effects that are my main concern and it's looking like I'd rather have Omicron than Delta.​​​​​​

Charismatic

More positive data from South Africa:
​​​​​
​​​​​​The UK has reported that vaccines are less effective against the Omicron variant. This seems in line with what most scientists expect, vaccines will provide short term cover until the virus becomes endemic. No silver bullets for this one.

Clareuk

Hopefully it continues to prove not as serious. Wonder why the vaccine isn’t as effective with this one ? Is it because it’s mutated?

Charismatic

Yes, generally viruses must continue to mutate or it would get wiped out. This process is called "antigenic drift". Early on there was some speculation that if the virus mutated slowly vaccines might knock it out but it became apparent that new variants are rapidly emerging. There are efforts to develop more effective vaccines against new variants as they emerge but obviously there is always a lag because it has to be developed, trialled, approved, manufactured, shipped, administered etc. So governments must now manage the transition from pandemic to endemic. Omicron appears to be a step in that direction.

This pandemic was particularly serious for the western world because it primarily killed the elderly and our populations are getting old as birthrates nosedive. In New Zealand median life expectancy has increased by 10 years since 1960 and the median age of a person has increased by about 15 years over the same period.

Clareuk

Thanks very much for the explanation Charismatic much appreciated 🙂

jarv5116

I wouldn't start planning holidays in sunshine in Europe or uk just yet guys.
Shizer has hit the fan with this omicron. the tidal wave is about to hit the UK and Euro.
spreading faster and harder than the delta. the vaccine is less effective. everyone is to get in for there booster vaccine asap. I'm booking mine next week. I had my 2nd jab in July.
Can see brown skids in jacinda pants already with opening the borders up.

Mishclark

I've booked to come back with 20 year old daughter end of May, I'm ok with doing 7 days self isolation.

Been an interesting 2 years by then but I'm also patient.

Charismatic

So far the severity of symptoms seems mild and, as a result, NHS hospital capacity has not been adversely impacted. Ditto South Africa, there has been an explosion in people reporting flu like symptoms but hospitals have not been inundated.

I, cautiously, see Omicron as a welcome development. What's been really frightening about Delta has been its severe symptoms, like many I'd been fearful for New Zealands healthcare system heading into winter which seems to be when cases accelerate rapidly. Frankly I doubt that New Zealands healthcare system could have coped with Delta next winter. Luckily we may not have to find out of Omicron is allowed to out-compete it.

jarv5116

I get what your saying mate
but the UK med for trop medicine and viruses reckon it's more about numbers exploding with minimum protection against this strain.
If your not protected and haven't had your booster it's going spread like wild fire and NHS will be swamped with it.

Justcol

Seems this has just become an extension of the CORONAVIRUS thread that was closed some weeks ago 😒

chocolate cake

Well I guess that was prematurely closed

We learn today that on Day 136 since the original short n sharp lockdown back in August and on the last of the year Auckland will be able to move to amber traffic light. Seem to make it as they go along.

Still, day -2 minus to being allowed out of Auckland on parole, though those 'spot checks' sure to make for some nasty queues heading North over the next month.

Clareuk

was listening to one of the press releases from Jacinta.
They are going to review in Jan about Omricon and international travellers.cannot find the link I watched it on to reference it sorry will do better next time.
have a feeling this will be MIQ placement fully back in force which everyday people struggle so much to get into as it really is a lottery - hope I’m wrong though