In South Africa, Omikron is giving way. «Pandemic turning point»

It looks like South Africa has dealt with Omikron. Daily coronavirus infections are falling sharply in the country, and the number of deaths from the coronavirus was significantly lower than in the three previous waves. – We have reached a turning point in this pandemic – says the local expert.

1. The Omikron variant was first detected in South Africa in early November
2. A few weeks later, there were even 38 thousand. infections daily
3. For a month now, the bars showing daily illnesses have been dropping sharply
4. On January 18, 3,6 thousand people were registered there. infections, the day before there were 1,7 thousand.
5. You can find more about the coronavirus on the TvoiLokony home page

Omikron is giving way to South Africa

The new Omikron variant was first detected on November 9 in South Africa. It quickly caused an avalanche of coronavirus cases (it was the fourth wave in this country) in the country. At the turn of November and December, the daily number of new cases doubled overnight, and the record was reached on December 12. Then it reached almost 38 thousand. infections in a country of over 59 million inhabitants. It is almost 50 percent. more than the peak of the third wave.

Now, just over two months after the world first heard of Omicron (though it was still referred to as Nu at the time), the tide of infection in South Africa is falling almost as rapidly as it has grown. More importantly, the number of deaths that have occurred in recent weeks has turned out to be lower than expected.

Source: worldometers.info.

Debora Patta, a CBS News correspondent in South Africa, reports that life is slowly returning to normal there. In the suburbs of Johannesburg, restaurants are full again, the streets are crowded with cars, and the city is bustling with life.

Patta was also present in this African country during the previous coronavirus wave. At that time, she informed about what was happening in one of the hospitals in the Gauteng province, which includes, among others, Johannesburg and the capital of Pretoria. Half a year ago, when he was dominant Delta variant, the hospital was on the verge of fitness. Covid beds were missing, oxygen was running out, and mortality was very high.

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– I am a nurse, but most of all a human. That is why watching people dying is very difficult – said CBS Justice Mangala, a nurse from the hospital.

Now, with more infections than in July, the hospital looks very different. The beds are half full and very few patients require oxygen support. Mangala says he can count the deaths in his ward on the fingers of one hand. “I’m much calmer now with the second line of defense, the vaccine,” he says.

“Turning point in this pandemic”

According to prof. Shabir Madhi, a vaccinologist, vaccines, combined with a large number of previous illnesses, increased herd immunity in South Africa, which reduced the number of serious illnesses and deaths during the last wave. It is estimated that Omikron is responsible for less than 5 percent. all deaths that have occurred since the start of the pandemic in this countryright.

– I’m an optimist. I think we have reached a turning point in this pandemic, says Madhi. – I don’t think we need to go back to what we experienced during the first three waves in South Africa.

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However, this optimism is not the same everywhere. The example of South Africa gives hope, but it is noted that the demographic situation there and the course of the pandemic so far are different than in many countries that are now facing Omikron, such as the United States. The American population, compared to the South African population, is much older and has many chronic diseases.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to United States President Joe Biden, recently stated that it is still unclear whether Omikron will be the beginning of an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Illness and hospitalization numbers continue to rise in many US states.

Source: worldometers.info.

– We should not expect these indicators to drop at the national level in the coming days – said Vivek H. Murthy on CNN the chief national consultant in the field of surgery.

The exception is New York – the state where Omikron first appeared. There, the high tide begins to subside.

Source: worldometers.info.

In Great Britain as in South Africa. Infections are falling

On the other hand, the situation in Great Britain is similar to that of South Africa. In December, the number of cases grew rapidly, but since the beginning of January, a clear decline has been visible. On January 4, there was a record 218 thousand. daily cases. Currently, the daily average for the last week is 95. The number of deaths remained three-digit, four times lower than during the wave caused by the Alpha variant. Omikron is currently responsible for 95 percent. COVID-19 cases in the UK.

Source: worldometers.info.

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Scientists there believe that soon COVID-19 can be treated as an endemic disease.

– We are at a point that can be considered the beginning of the end of the pandemic, at least in Great Britain – says Prof. Julian Hiscox of the University of Liverpool, member of the government’s medical board. – I think that life will return to the pre-pandemic state in 2022 – he adds.

If a new COVID-19 variant emerges, it will be like any other human cold-causing coronavirus for most of us. We will have a runny nose and maybe a headache, everything will end well, says Hiscox.

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

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