U.S. scientists say Omicron is no worse than other types of viruses

U.S. scientists say Omicron is no worse than other types of viruses.

The Omicron variant does not appear to be worse than other corona virus strains, top scientists at the WHO and the United States told AFP, while warning that more research is needed to determine its severity.

Optimistic estimates came as global concern grew over the greatly altered diversity, which forced dozens of countries to re-impose border controls and raise the possibility of a return to economically punitive locks.

Although it is more contagious than previous variants, it is "highly unlikely" that omicron vaccine protection will be completely eliminated, the second-in-command of the World Health Organization told AFP on Tuesday.

"Preliminary data do not indicate that this is too severe. In fact, if anything, the direction is toward lesser intensity," WHO Emergency Director Michael Ryan said in an interview, stressing the need for more research.

Ryan said there was no indication that Omicron could completely abandon the protection afforded by the existing Covid vaccines.

Anthony Fauci, a top US scientist, echoed the WHO's view that Omicron may not look worse than previous strains and may be milder based on early symptoms.

Fauci told the AFP that the new variant was "clearly more pervasive" than the current dominant global strain, Delta.

“It’s definitely not tougher than Delta,” he said. "There are some suggestions that it could be less severe."