WASHINGTON: According to Anthony Fauci, the US' top infectious disease specialist, data from multiple nations on the Omicron severity reveal that, although being highly transmissible, the variant caused less disease than the preceding Delta strain, which was significantly more devastating.

Fauci said in a White House news briefing on Wednesday that Omicron is less severe citing studies from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Canada. He did, however, warn against becoming complacent. "Multiple sources of now-preliminary data suggest that Omicron is less severe. However, we urgently require a more definite assessment of severity, as well as longer-term follow-up in this country and in other countries "During the briefing, Fauci stated.

"But there's a significant caveat: We can't afford to be complacent," he warned.

The enhanced transmissibility of Omicron, according to Fauci, "could be overshadowed by the sheer amount of cases that may be of lower severity but nonetheless put a strain on our medical system." Hew said  there is abundant evidence that Omicron is unquestionably a highly transmissible mutation that spreads quickly.

Furthermore, Omicron eludes immune vaccination protection against symptomatic and, to a lesser extent, severe illness. AA "Laboratory and clinical results indicate that booster doses, even against Omicron, reconstitute vaccination protection," Fauci added.

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