Covid-19 in UK: Omicron may Cause 75,000 Deaths by April End

Omicron variant can cause 25,000 to 75,000 deaths by the end of April, depending on how well vaccines perform in the country.

Scientists in the UK have warned that the Omicron variant can cause increased number of deaths by the end of April, which could range from 25,000 to 75,000.

But the experts behind the study said there was still uncertainty around the modelling, the BBC reported on Saturday.

Vaccines and Previous Infection Could Offer Some �Stronger Than Basic� Protection to Omicron
People with previous COVID-19 infection and those vaccinated will have some “stronger than basic” defence against Omicron variant of COVID-19, suggested study.

‘The number of people being infected with the COvid-19 virus is currently doubling every 2.4 days in the UK. Therefore, it is highly necessary to be vaccinated against the virus.’

The study is by an influential group of disease modelers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) who also advise the government -- but it is not a crystal ball.

As per the report, it does not say what will happen with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 but gives a range of possible outcomes.

The research is based on the assumption Omicron is less severe if one has been vaccinated, and also takes into account the current Plan B measures.

Report Says Omicron Detected in California Wastewater Before WHO Declaration
The Omicron Covid-19 strain was present in a wastewater sample from California even before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it the newest 'Variant of Concern'.

High uptake of the booster dose is likely to mitigate the impact of the Omicron wave, the researchers said.

It came as the UK announced a further 54,073 new cases on Saturday, including 633 of Omicron -- although the real number of Omicron cases is estimated to be much higher.

Omicron In India: 25 Cases Detected
In India, so far a total of 25 cases of new Covid variant Omicron have been detected, said a top Health Ministry official.

Nick Davies, one of the researchers, said Omicron was spreading "very fast," was "quite concerning" and was likely to be the dominant form of the virus in the UK by the end of the year.

The report said the number of people infected is currently doubling every 2.4 days in the UK.

Omicron Testing Kit Developed
A new testing kit to detect the new Omicron Covid-19 variant within two hours has been developed by ICMR. Delhi reported its second case of Omicron on Saturday.

Source-IANS