Omicron update: LIVE news and developments, Tuesday 7 December

The next two weeks are CRUCIAL in our bid to learn more about the Omicron variant, and just how dangerous this new strain of COVID-19 can be. The latest developments are coming thick and fast, and we’ve got all the necessary updates and findings as they roll in… You can follow every important news update as it happens, via our live blog.

Latest news and updates on the Omicron variant, for Tuesday 7 December

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What do we know about Omicron?

The Omicron variant was detected last month, and our pandemic trajectory was flipped on its head, essentially overnight. On the same day SA’s Health Department revealed this strain came with 30 different mutations, the world reacted by placing Mzansi on travel red lists, and shutting borders to anyone travelling from our Republic.

However, that unwarranted panic was shown up for the charade it really was, when news emerged that most countries who had decided to shut-out South Africans were already reporting cases of the Omicron variant.

New variant sparks panic

Despite having the potential to evade natural immunity and possibly weaken vaccine-induced protection, leading scientists have asked for calm to be restored. There’s a consensus emerging that the current COVID-19 jabs, though not able to prevent widespread transmission, WILL still give high levels of immunity against ‘severe and fatal’ Omicron infections.

In the past few days, very early and preliminary data would suggest that this new strain is more transmissible than its Delta predecessor, but most patients so far have shown only mild symptoms. More young adults are being admitted to hospital in Tshwane – the so-called ‘Omicron epicentre’ – but very few require advanced medical treatment.

We’re likely seeing the impact of the vaccine at play, here. Fewer elderly citizens are in hospital at this point compared to previous waves, and they also happen to be the most vaccinated cohort in South Africa. However, it’s still up in the air right now – and whatever we learn about Omicron in the days ahead, you’ll be the first to know.