How deadly is Omikron? There are victims in Poland

We have the fifth wave of epidemics in Poland, informs Minister Niedzielski. The Omikron variant detected in November is largely responsible for the increase in the number of infections. It is problematic for several reasons. First of all, due to its high transmissivity and short incubation period, but not only that. Due to the usually mild symptoms, it is easy to underestimate. And it could end tragically. In Poland, at the beginning of January, we already had the first fatalities of the Omikron variant.

1. The significant increase in the number of infections in Poland indicates that we already have the fifth wave of the Omikron variant in our country. During a press briefing, the Minister of Health expressed his concern about the situation and announced that public administration employees would switch to remote work
2. Although the most common symptoms of Omicron are runny nose or stuffy nose, the disease caused by this variant of the coronavirus does not have to be mild
3. This is evidenced by subsequent reports from countries around the world, where deaths are reported among those infected with Omikron. We also have fatalities of Omikron in Poland
4. At the moment, we do not have precise data on the mortality rate of the Omikron variant. We know, however, that the risk of hospitalization in an infected person is lower by 30 to 70 percent. compared to the previous variants
5. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Fatalities of Omikron in Poland. Previously, deaths were also made in other countries

Ever since the Omikron variant was discovered in November, we have been hearing that it is rather mild. It’s very easy to get infected, the virus only takes three days to incubate, it can escape antigen testing, but its symptoms resemble a cold rather than a disease caused by previous variants of the coronavirus.

The data collected by the ZOE COVID Study program show that the most common symptoms of Omikron are: runny nose, headache, fatigue (mild or severe), sneezing and sore throat.

1. Also check out: Who is the most likely to die of COVID-19 now? [WE EXPLAIN]

Unfortunately, not everyone is infected with this variant in a mild manner. At the end of December, the world became known about the first death victim in Australia. He was an 80+ male with comorbidities. In early January, we heard about the first death from an Omicron-infected person in India. He was a 74-year-old man suffering from diabetes and other comorbidities. There are more deaths among those infected with Omikron – they have already been reported, among others, in in Germany or Great Britain. On Monday, January 10, we also learned about the deaths in Poland.

– Omicron is also dangerous. We have at least the first two deaths of people infected with the new version of the virus – Omikron. They are two people from the province. Małopolska, two elderly people – 92 and 85 years old – both men, (…) unvaccinated – said the spokesman of the Ministry of Health Wojciech Andrusiewicz.

During the press briefing of Minister Niedzielski on January 19, we learned that the number of coronavirus infections in Poland is rapidly increasing. The Omikron variant, according to data from the Ministry of Health, is already responsible for over 22 percent. all infections in our country. Taking into account that in Poland about 1 out of 100 samples is sequenced, the actual number of Omikron cases is probably much higher. In early January, the drug. Bartosz Fiałek in an interview with Medonet said directly that in his opinion there are several dozen times more cases.

The rest of the text is below the video.

How deadly is the Omikron variant?

Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the first report on the mortality rate of the Omikron variant. It showed that the variant was not the cause of a single death in 38 countries already dealing with the new variety. At the same time, scientists have established that it can escape vaccines. In the case of two doses of Pfizer, the effectiveness in contact with Omikron dropped to 30%, and with AstraZeneka it is close to zero. In turn, the booster increases the level of protection to 75 percent.

1. Editors recommend: «Omicron Wave in 10-14 days». What awaits us? Sad forecasts for Poland

Several weeks have passed since the publication of the report, during which the first deaths among those infected with Omikron have already been recorded. There has also been more research on its mortality. Preliminary studies published in the UK and Africa suggest that the risk of hospitalization in people infected with Omikron is 30 to 70 percent. lower than in the case of carriers of the previous variants.

However, the risk of hospitalization still exists, especially in the case of people with existing and unvaccinated diseases. And knowing that the Omikron variant is up to 105 percent. more contagious than Delta, we have to take into account the situation when hospitals will simply cease to be efficient.

Also read:

1. “Coagulation cascade”. A neurologist explains why people with COVID-19 often have strokes and strokes
2. 20 symptoms of Omicron. These are the most common
3. “All those who want to live should get vaccinated.” Is it enough to protect yourself from the Omicron?
4. How to wear masks in winter? The rule is more important than ever. Experts observe
5. The Omicron Wave is approaching. 10 things that can stop her

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.