“Although it is too early to make definitive statements, so far it does not seem that there is a great degree of severity,” said the White House virologist.
“So far, the signs are somewhat encouraging,” he remarked, CNN television and AFP news agency reported.
Medical experts recently stressed that the population of South Africa, where the Omicron strain was first found, tends to be young and that more severe cases could be found in the coming weeks.
Laboratory tests try to determine if Ómicron, a variant of the virus with dozens of mutations, is more transmissible than others, more resistant to immunity from vaccines and infection, or if it generates more severe symptoms. Results are expected in the next few weeks.
Meanwhile, Stephen Hoge, president of the vaccine manufacturer Moderna, said: “There is a real risk that we are going to have a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines.”
However, he added that the magnitude of the effects is still unknown, the ABC channel reported.
In addition to Moderna, other pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer are working on adapting their vaccines to the new variant if necessary.
At least 15 US states and about 40 countries have confirmed cases of the new variant.
To stop the spread of Omicron cases, the United States last week imposed entry restrictions on people from South Africa and seven other southern African countries.
Asked about the restrictions, Fauci said he expected them to be lifted “within a reasonable period.”
Source From: Ambito
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