According to Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Covid-19 technical head, the key concern for scientists is whether it will be more lethal, as reported by CNBC.

According to Van Kerkhove, roughly 21 million Covid cases were reported to the WHO last week, setting a new world record for weekly cases of the fast spreading Omicron form.

While Omicron looks to be less dangerous than past strains of the virus, the sheer volume of cases in many countries is straining healthcare systems.

The next Covid-19 variety to emerge will be more infectious than Omicron, but the World Health Organization warns that there is no assurance that subsequent strains will be milder.

According to Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Covid-19 technical head, the key concern for scientists is whether it will be more lethal, as reported by CNBC.

According to Van Kerkhove, roughly 21 million Covid cases were reported to the WHO last week, setting a new world record for weekly cases of the fast spreading Omicron form.

Also read: New COVID variant detected in France, named 'IHU'

While Omicron looks to be less dangerous than past strains of the virus, the sheer volume of cases in many countries is straining healthcare systems.

The virus will continue to develop until it settles into a pattern, according to Dr Mike Ryan, WHO's head of emergency programmes. He believes it will eventually settle at a low level of transmission, with periodic outbreaks possible. According to the report, it might become more seasonal or only affect vulnerable people.

(IANS/PR)

(Keywords: WHO, Covid, Omicron, Variants, Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Covid-19 technical head, Dr Mike Ryan, WHO's head of emergency programmes)