Omicron Fuels U.K. s Biggest Covid-19 Surge, but Few Need Ventilators – WSJ

LONDON The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has fueled the biggest surge in Covid-19 cases in the U.K. since the pandemic began, but the number of people critically ill in hospitals hasn t increased significantly, a promising sign for countries including the U.S. that are seeing their own rapid run-ups in infections.

Doctors say Omicron is making fewer people seriously sick and the severe respiratory problems that were hallmarks of earlier waves of Covid-19 aren t so prevalent this time around. The change reflects differences in how the variant attacks the body, booster shots shielding the most vulnerable against the severest aspects of the disease, and better treatments that forestall Covid-19 s progression.

The trend, which is at odds with the rapid rises in seriously ill hospital cases seen in earlier waves of the pandemic, adds to evidence that Omicron causes milder illness than its viral predecessors, especially in populations with some degree of immunity from vaccines and prior exposure to Covid-19.

via www.wsj.com

I suppose this will disappoint those in our fear-mongering press and some weird destruction-loving others as well, such as all the medico-authoritarians that have crawled out of the woodwork, but it’s good news, obviously.

In other news, LWJ tested positive for the Covid, Omicron presumably, and I still feel fine. Go figure.