Early signs indicate omicron may pose less of threat

Early signs indicate that the omicron variant, flying across the globe at breakneck pace, might produce less severe illness than previous variants of concern.

Scientists are unsure if the variant itself is less lethal or whether population immunity from previous infections and vaccination has meant that it is less able to wreak havoc. Either way, though, infectious disease experts are taking some solace in the evidence that omicron is not the worst-case scenario.