Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Within the rapid increase in cases of Omicron variant of Covid across the world, the health experts were left wondering if everyone around the globe is going to be affected by this virus at some point.
According to the official reports, the experts says that Omicron could possibly lead to herd immunity and turn Covid-19 into a harmless endemic illness, but when it comes to the new variant it is being said that Omicron is highly contagious. However, going on the brighter side of the new variant, the effects are less severe as compared to Delta and previous other variants.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that Omicron is less severe than Delta but it’s still a dangerous virus. People who are infected from the Omicron variant have a full range of diseases including asymptomatic infection all the way through severe symptoms and death.
She says “What we are learning is that people with underlying conditions, people with advanced age, people who are unvaccinated can have a severe form of COVID-19 following infection from Omicron. Hence, the people are still being hospitalized with this variant of concern, Omicron, as well as dying.”
She further added that the Omicron variant is overtaking Delta in terms of circulation, and it is very efficiently transmitted between people. But it does not mean that everybody will eventually get Omicron. Besides, the rising cases of Omicron around the world have put a significant burden on the health care systems. Due to this WHO has been working hard with partners around the world to have a comprehensive strategy to reduce the exposure of people and reduce the opportunities to get infected.
