An ex-WHO scientist has claimed Omicron BA.2 has an R0 of 12, making it as infectious as measles, the most infectious disease known. But what do the data show?
Reports that a hybrid Covid variant of Omicron and Delta dubbed 'Deltacron' is spreading across the world are not yet a cause for concern, scientists have said.
White Britons were more likely than black Britons to be infected with Covid during the Delta wave in 2021 despite having significantly higher vaccination rates, ONS analysis shows.
Deaths are running high across Europe this winter. But it's not all Covid. As many as half of the excess deaths are from something else. But what?
In its own data, the NHS has revealed that 23% of ICU beds are unoccupied in the middle of January. This is unprecedented in recent history. Normal ICU bed occupancy at this time of year is well over 90%.
A CDC study has found that natural immunity is superior to vaccine immunity, and that being vaccinated on top of being infected makes little difference, confirming the findings of several studies in other countries.
There's little doubt that Omicron is causing milder disease in the U.K., as well as in South Africa, Denmark, and other places. But what's going on in Australia? ICU admissions have shot up as Omicron has taken hold.
The Daily Sceptic's in-house doctor reflects on the year gone by, noting the site's excellent track record of identifying important issues about the NHS's management of Covid months before the mainstream media.
Analysis of data from England by the UKHSA released today confirms that the Omicron variant is causing less severe illness than Delta, with risk of emergency admission to hospital reduced by 62%.
The fact that Omicron is not able to push Delta out completely, combined with the as-yet muted spike in positivity, is further evidence that natural immunity is holding Omicron off to a similar degree to Delta.
