‘Omicron’ Variant is more Infectious than Delta and Beta Variant: Singapore Health Department
New Delhi: The Singapore Health Ministry has expressed concern over the rising ‘Omicron’ cases across the world. The Singapore Health Ministry has said that “early clinical observations globally suggest that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 may be more transmissible and have a higher risk of reinfection compared to the Delta and Beta variants of the virus,”
The Health Ministry of Singapore further added that “This means that there is a higher likelihood of individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to be reinfected with the Omicron variant.”
According to the officials, Singapore on Sunday has reported 552 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths linked to the coronavirus. Over the past several days, reviewed reports from South Africa and other countries, and actively engaged experts in affected countries to obtain first-hand information.
Singapore Health ministry urged those eligible to get themselves vaccinated or go for their booster jabs, saying there is strong scientific consensus that doing so will protect against any existing and future variants of COVID-19. Common symptoms reported include sore throat, tiredness, and cough.
As for reports that there were more Omicron-related hospitalizations among younger people in South Africa.
MOH said it would need to collect more information on older individuals infected with the Omicron variant to assess if it is more severe than the Delta variant.
(Vinayak)
