Gunzburg said that omicron-strain is not more dangerous than “delta”, but more infectious – RBK

The Omicron coronavirus strain does not exceed the delta strain in danger, but it spreads faster, said head of the Center. N.F. Gamalei Alexander Gintsburg on the air of the TV channel “Russia 24”.

“According to the preliminary data that we have, to say that the omicron strain is more dangerous [чем дельта-штамм] <...> is not necessary. Another thing is that it is more contagious. That is, it spreads much better, ”the scientist said.

Gunzburg noted that it is precisely in the high rate of spread that the danger of the omicron strain lies. For this reason, the number of cases, especially among the unvaccinated, can increase dramatically. Because of this, the scientist warned, hospitals could again be overcrowded.

The virologist recalled that vaccination according to the existing scheme (first twice with “Sputnik V”, and then with “Sputnik Light”) gives good protection against the new strain.

On December 21, the World Health Organization confirmed speculations that omicron is spreading faster than previous strains of the coronavirus. The organization said it now has “convincing evidence” of this phenomenon. Also, experts emphasized that those who have been ill and vaccinated due to the appearance of the omicron strain can become infected again with a greater probability.

According to WHO, as of December 21, cases of the new strain were found in 106 countries of the world. As of December 21, 41 cases of omicron infection were recorded in Russia.