Those infected with Omikron have already contracted COVID-19. New findings of British scientists

The director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Hans Kluge, recently said that 60 percent will be infected with the coronavirus by the end of March. Europeans. For many of them, it will not be the first SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. According to research conducted in Great Britain, up to two-thirds of new cases are so-called reinfections.

1. During the current wave of infections caused by the Omikron variant, also those who have already been infected with COVID-19
2. This is confirmed by scientists from Imperial College London, who analyzed thousands of positive tests, performed in January this year, and Omikron detected 99 percent of the tests. tested samples
3. Interestingly, two-thirds of them came from patients who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19
4. Experts estimate that the risk of reinfection in the case of Omikron is even several times higher compared to the Delta variant
5. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Why is COVID-19 reinfected?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been going on for two years. During this time, over 363,6 million cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported. Recoverable groups include people who have been ill once, but also those who have received a positive coronavirus test at least twice (there are cases of people who have had COVID-19 even four times).

This is due to the fact that the immunity we gain from disease or vaccination declines over time, and while it may still protect us from severe infection and reduce the risk of death, it is not always enough to protect us from the infection itself. The infectivity of the virus itself is also of great importance – the easier it is to spread, the more likely it will infect people who have already come into contact with it.

The rest of the text below the video.

What is the risk of relapse during the Omicron Wave?

In the case of a variant with such a high firepower as Omikron, the risk that people who have already suffered from COVID-19 will become infected is very high. This is confirmed by the analyzes of Imperial College London, carried out as part of the React research program (it is co-financed by the British government, it has been running since May 2020).

The British analyzed 100. 607 PCR test results from England. Two-thirds of 3 582 study participants who tested positive for coronavirus reported that they had already been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past. Another 7,5 percent. admitted that they suspected they had been ill before, but this was not confirmed by any test.

This means that the risk of reinfection in the event of contact with Omikron is much higher than before. British health officials estimated back in December that it was as much as 5,4 times higher than in the case of the previously dominant Delta. On the other hand, research carried out in South Africa shows that Omikron poses a three times higher risk of reinfection.

1. See also: What is the risk of reinfection with the Omikron variant? There are preliminary research results

Importantly, the analyzes included samples from tests carried out between 5 and 20 January this year, i.e. during the wave of infections caused by the Omikron variant. In the UK, it is currently responsible for 98,4 percent. all cases of COVID-19, which was confirmed by the results of sequencing of the collected samples. In 99 percent. of them Omikron was detected, only 1 percent. it contained the genetic sequence characteristic of the Delta variant.

“ We saw unprecedented levels of SARS-CoV-2 infection in England in January 2022 and an almost complete replacement of the Delta variant by Omikron, ” the study authors said in a paper published Wednesday.

The researchers found that the infectivity of the new coronavirus variant led to the highest number of infections ever seen in a React study – incomparably greater than in previous waves. Although the number of new cases in England has decreased (in the last round of the study, there were “only” 4,4% positive, which was still a threefold increase from December 2021), records appeared earlier in the covid statistics. One in 23 people infected with the coronavirus in January, according to Imperial College London.

React program director prof. Paul Elliott said: “The virus is spreading rapidly among children (…) and, compared to December, among the elderly over 65, which could lead to increased hospitalizations. Therefore, it is important that we continue to monitor the situation closely.

1. Also read: How long will the fifth wave last?

Omikron in the UK and around the world

Omikron arrived in the UK in late November and caused a surge in infections. Their peak took place at the turn of the year, when there were about 200. cases per day. The record-breaking was on January 4, when it was informed about over 218 thousand. cases. Currently, there are 70-90 thousand new cases. per day, suggesting that the Omicron wave is falling.

The British government believes that the threat has passed, so it lifts most of the restrictions, including the obligation to wear masks outside and the recommendation to work remotely. In the UK, around 76% are vaccinated with two doses. society. Almost 52,3 million of the first doses, about 48,2 million of the second and 37 million of boosters were given.

Omicron has already spread all over the world. According to CEO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, more than 80 million COVID-19 cases have been reported to the organization since the variant was identified nine weeks ago – more than in 2020 as a whole. Last week alone, an average of 100 new cases were reported every three seconds, and someone died of coronavirus infection every 12 seconds.

1. See also: The head of WHO announces the end of the pandemic. Prof. Throttle: that doesn’t mean the virus will go away

So far, over 3,5 thousand people have been detected in Poland. infections caused by Omikron. It is responsible for half of all COVID-19 cases.

The editorial board recommends:

1. More and more hospitalizations of children with COVID-19. Why is this happening?
2. What gives you super resistance to COVID-19? Two ways. Scientists studied which one was more effective
3. Prof. Fal: Don’t get too attached to the concept of herd immunity in the context of the coronavirus
4. An “invisible” version of the Omicron has been discovered. He could have caused a huge wave of infections in Europe

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