People with Omicron variant 50-70% less likely to be hospitalised, UKHSA says

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: A general view of the emergency department at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on December 19, 2021 in London, England. Covid-19 hospitalisations are rising in the UK amid the latest wave of Covid-19 infections, fueled by the more contagious Omicron variant, but the numbers remain far below peak. Still, the exploding infection rate threatens to overwhelm the NHS, and may cause staff shortages as NHS workers are forced to quarantine. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

People are 50-70% less likely to be hospitalised with Omicron compared to previous strains of Covid-19, according to new evidence by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The group called the new early data “encouraging” however, warned that Omicron infections could still lead to a large number of people in hospital.

The UKHSA released its findings after similar promising data was published in a joint study by Edinburgh University, Strathclyde University and Public Health Scotland.

Risk of hospitalisation lower than other strains

The early evidence compiled by the UKHSA has shown promising data on the Omicron variant.

According to the report, those infected with the strain are around 31%-45% less likely to go to A&E with Covid-19 related-illness.

It also crucially showed that those infected are 50%-70% less likely to be admitted to hospital.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UKHSA, said: “Our latest analysis shows an encouraging early signal that people who contract the Omicron variant may be at a relatively lower risk of hospitalisation than those who contract other variants.”

However, Dr Harries did warn that if cases of Omicron continue to increase rapidly, hospitals will still be under pressure.

She said: “Cases are currently very high in the UK, and even a relatively low proportion requiring hospitalisation could result in a significant number of people becoming seriously ill.”

There are also warning as the early evidence shows that the virus is surging in younger age groups, with limited data on those over the age of 40 infected with the strain.

Vaccine boosters beginning to wane

The study also showed that the vaccine booster is extremely effective in preventing serious illness or death from the variant, with only two doses offering limited protection from being infected with the virus.

However, it also showed that the effectiveness of this begins to wane by 15%-25% 10 weeks after the booster dose.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid called the study “promising” but warned that the UK cannot afford to underestimate the situation.

He said: “Cases of the variant continue to rise at an extraordinary rate - already surpassing the record daily number in the pandemic. Hospital admissions are increasing, and we cannot risk the NHS being overwhelmed.”