New research shows that the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 is less likely than the Delta variant to induce protracted COVID. Letters to the medical publication The Lancet were published today (June 18, 2022) by academics from King’s College London who analyzed ZOE COVID Symptom study app data. Long-term COVID risk and the Omicron variant have been reported in the first peer-reviewed study.
According to NICE, long COVID is defined as having new or continuous symptoms at least four weeks following the onset of symptoms. Anxiety and depression are among the most common side effects. Some of the symptoms might be so severe that they can substantially impair a person’s daily activities.
Long term COVID risks are lower for those infected with Omicron
Long-term COVID was 20% to 50% less likely to occur during the Omicron versus Delta periods, depending on age and vaccination history. Between December 20, 2021 and March 9, 2022, there were 56,003 adult cases in the United Kingdom that tested positive for Omicron. Between June 1, 2021 and November 27, 2021, when the Delta variation was predominate, scientists compared these instances to 41,361 others that tested positive for the first time.
In Omicron, 4.4% of cases had a long COVID, while in Delta, 10.8% of cases had a long COVID. COVID-related deaths increased in the Omicron period, while the total number of COVID-related deaths increased as well. From December 2021 to February 2022, a large number of people were infected with Omicron. There were 1.3 million people with lengthy COVID in January 2022, but there were 2 million on May 1st, according to the UK Office of National Statistics.
Omicron appears to be less likely to produce Long-COVID than prior versions, but nevertheless, one in every 23 persons who get COVID-19 keep on having symptoms for longer than a month, according to lead author, Dr. Claire Steves. She also added that those suffering from long COVID require further support, both at home and at work.
