# Scotland reports fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations with Omicron
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-12-23
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: Scottish study shows Omicron variant less likely to
Meta Description: New research from Scotland reveals that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 leads to 68% fewer hospitalizations compared to Delta, especially among younger
URL: https://financedigest.com/scotland-reports-fewer-covid-19-hospitalizations-with-omicronhtml

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By Nancy Lapid

(Reuters) – In Scotland, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus appears less likely to result in COVID-19 hospitalization than Delta, according to an analysis of early data that was posted ahead of peer review on Wednesday.

The updated statistics agree with data released earlier on Wednesday from South Africa and from England, also in advance of peer review.

At the University of Edinburgh, researchers [tracked nearly](https://www.financedigest.com/ferrari-enel-x-plan-solar-plant-near-fiorano-test-track.html "Ferrari, Enel X plan solar plant near Fiorano test track") 152,500 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, including 22,205 infected with the Omicron variant. Half of the Omicron-infected [patients were under age](https://www.financedigest.com/constructive-digitization-to-let-the-remote-patient-monitoring-services-market-come-of-age.html "Constructive digitization to let the Remote Patient Monitoring Services Market come of age") 40.

The number of Omicron patients who needed to be hospitalized was 68% [lower than what the researchers would have expected](https://www.financedigest.com/commerzbank-keeps-outlook-as-lower-q3-profit-still-beats-expectations.html "Commerzbank keeps outlook as lower Q3 profit still beats expectations"), based on the rate in patients infected with Delta.

The study only [included patients diagnosed at primary care practices](https://www.financedigest.com/a-modern-soc-should-include-a-threat-intelligence-practice-leverage-your-new-mssp-mdr-soc-contract-to-enhance-global-secops-maturity.html "A Modern SOC Should Include a Threat Intelligence Practice, Leverage Your New MSSP/MDR SOC Contract to Enhance Global SecOps Maturity"), however. It did not include patients who got tested for COVID-19 in National Health Service laboratories, who account for most of the patients admitted to hospitals, [according to the report](https://www.financedigest.com/worst-flooding-since-1998-leaves-33bn-economic-toll-in-china-according-to-aon-catastrophe-report.html "Worst flooding since 1998 leaves bn economic toll in China, according to Aon catastrophe report").

The Scottish researchers estimated that 7.6% of the [Omicron cases](https://www.financedigest.com/covid-cases-surpass-400-million-as-omicron-grips-world.html "COVID cases surpass 400 million as Omicron grips world") were reinfections, compared with only 0.7% of infections caused by Delta. They also found that a third dose of vaccine [provided “considerable additional protection](https://www.financedigest.com/banks-can-provide-a-protective-shield-to-defend-customers-from-cyber-attack.html "Banks can provide a protective shield to defend customers from cyber attack") against symptomatic disease.

At Imperial College London, [researchers who earlier this week reported](https://www.financedigest.com/fucoidan-extract-market-research-report-2022-global-forecast-till-2028.html "Fucoidan Extract Market Research Report 2022 – Global Forecast till 2028") no less severe disease with Omicron than with Delta have now said they saw evidence over the last two weeks of a 40% to 45% reduction in the risk of hospitalization for Omicron relative to Delta infections.

Researchers in both countries said they see evidence that [vaccines remain effective at preventing severe illness with Omicron](https://www.financedigest.com/omicron-found-in-europe-11-days-ago-jolts-markets-on-vaccine-fears.html "Omicron, found in Europe 11 days ago, jolts markets on vaccine fears") and that booster doses significantly improve the waning protection from the initial two doses.

[Experts warn that efforts to determine the “severity” of Omicron are hampered by differing levels of immunity from vaccination and previous infection both among countries](https://www.financedigest.com/2021-aml-trend-foresights-for-28-experts-from-17-different-countries.html "2021 AML Trend Foresights for 28 Experts from 17 Different Countries ") and within countries, now and when Delta was peaking.

They also [warn that longer studies of Omicron infections](https://www.financedigest.com/watchdog-warned-uk-government-of-spyware-infections-inside-10-downing-street.html "Watchdog warned UK government of spyware infections inside 10 Downing Street") in broader populations are needed.

(Reporting by Nancy Lapid and Christine Soares; Editing by Caroline Humer and Aurora Ellis)


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