The Omicron 2 variant has arrived in Italy. It was, in fact, sequenced for the first time in Liguria with two confirmed cases: one after routine sequencing at San Martino in Genoa, the second emerged from the sequencing of a sample resulting from national monitoring, which involves the direct Hygiene laboratory. by Professor Giancarlo Icardi.
According to data collected so far in Great Britain and Denmark, where it is spreading, Omicron 2 would be more contagious but not more aggressive. In reality, as the virologist Matteo Bassetti explains on social networks, it is a “sub-variant of Omicron, BA.2”. Preliminary calculations “indicate that Omicron 2 is one and a half times more contagious than Omicron,” he continues, explaining that development is still underway. “If it is more contagious – continues Bassetti – it could mean that the wave of infections will be greater and will extend further until February compared to previous projections”.
The virologist reassures: «What seems certain, however, is that hospitalizations for severe forms are not increasing. So Omicron 2 bites less, especially in vaccinated people, like Omicron for the rest ». Meanwhile, according to the results of the rapid survey conducted by the ISS and the Ministry of Health, as of 17 January in Italy the Omicron variant was predominant, with an estimated prevalence of 95.8%, with a regional variability between 83.3 % and 100%, while the Delta was 4.2% of the sample examined. In Denmark, Omicron 2 cases doubled in one week, but hospitalizations halved. “UK has published data on the efficacy of vaccines against Omicron 1 and 2,” writes Bassetti. “As I said before, the three doses of vaccine work on both variants, even better on Omicron 2. We too accelerate the return to normal.”