The number of new cases of infections due to the COVID-19 variant, Omicron, has set a new global record.
Talks about the next COVID-19 variant have now become more apparent. But, as opposed to the reported ongoing theories, the upcoming strains could be more contagious than the infamous Omicron.
The latest assertion comes from the World Health Organization’s technical lead on COVID-19. Maria Van Kerkhove explained the matter after obtaining numerous questions about variants and strains.
The Deseret News covered the subject, centering on the official’s statements last Tuesday. This all comes as the world has reached a new global record in terms of weekly new infections.
About the next COVID-19 variant
During the health agency’s Q&A live series, its technical lead on COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, asserted that the new COVID-19 variant would be more infectious than the previous strains. She explained that this is because “it will have to overtake” the currently circulating variant, which is Omicron.
As the public would recall, the Omicron strain has already infected millions of people across the globe. Nevertheless, experts believe that it is less severe than its predecessors.
The WHO expert continued, however, that the new one will be “more fit,” implying that it will be more transmissible. But, as to whether they are deadlier and more severe, this remains to be the “big question.”
WHO warns against theories about variants, strains
Maria Van Kerkhove, then, moved on to warning the public about buying into the existing theories about the next COVID-19 variant and its future strains. CNBC noted that it is the belief that the virus will continue to mutate and become milder, making infected individuals less sick.
The official from the global health agency pointed out that there is “no guarantee” to this claim. Although “we hope that that is the case, … we can’t bank on it.”
Whatever the case, though, Kerkhove urged everyone to continue to heed public safety measures. Besides, there is reportedly no assurance that the next iterations of the COVID-19-causing virus would not evade vaccine protections.
Omicron and the COVID-19 pandemic
Meanwhile, the Omicron strain of the novel coronavirus remains apparent across the globe. The World Health Organization reported that there were over 21 million new infections in the last week.
The U.S. News said that this has become the highest weekly number of new cases since the pandemic emerged. But, as for the number of deaths due to the latest COVID-19 variant, it was “largely unchanged” at more than 50,000.
Images courtesy of CNBC Television/YouTube