Coronavirus: the Omicron variant is less severe but it's not 'nature's vaccine' | South China Morning Post

Two months after it emerged, the Omicron variant has ripped through many populations and is rapidly becoming the dominant coronavirus strain. Global case numbers have hit record levels, but proportionally hospitalisations and deaths are lower than for previous surges, indicating that Omicron could be less severe than other strains like Delta. That has prompted an optimistic view to take hold that this is a highly transmissible but mild variant that could infect billions and provide the immunity needed to end the pandemic . Or as US Senator Rand Paul put it, Omicron is "basically nature's vaccine". But scientists say this…