Prognosis
Omicron Severity Seen Masked by Prior 72% Case Rate in South Africa
- Survey shows 72% of Gauteng population previously infected
- Hospitalization rates have been muted in South Africa
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Leading scientists cautioned that the level of immunity against the coronavirus among South Africa’s population due to earlier infections may be masking the severity of illness caused by the omicron variant.
Since the discovery of the variant in South Africa and Botswana was announced on Nov. 25, hospitalization rates in South Africa have risen, though at a much slower pace than in previous waves, even as cases are rising more rapidly. The number of deaths has also been lower.