The Omicron version of Covid-19 is killing people all around the world and should not be disregarded as weak, according to WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom.
The new variety is rapidly out-competing the previously-dominant Delta type in many nations, according to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“While Omicron appears to be less severe than Delta, particularly in individuals who have been vaccinated, this does not mean it should be classified as moderate,” Tedros said during a press conference.
“Omicron, like prior variations, is putting people in hospitals and killing them,” he explained.
“In fact, the tsunami of cases is so large and fast that health systems all around the world are being overwhelmed.”
Last week, the WHO received reports of just about 9.5 million new Covid-19 cases, a new high of 71 percent over the previous week.
Tedros added, was an underestimation because it did not account for the backlog of testing during the Christmas-New Year vacations, positive self-tests that were not recorded, and overburdened monitoring systems that missed instances.
