New Covid variant causes different and milder illness

Early indications show that the new Omicron Covid-19 variant is more contagious but causes different and milder symptoms than the Delta variant.

So says Dr Bjarni á Steig, medical advisor to the Ministry of Health and a member of the epidemic commission.

The heavily mutated new variant was first discovered in South Africa on Wednesday, and by Friday it had made its way to Europe.

Two cases of the Omicron variant have so far been registered in Denmark but none in the Faroes.

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“This new variant contains about 50 mutations, which means the virus may find new ways to bypass our immunity system.

It is too early to say with any certainty whether it is resistant to our existing vaccines,” says the doctor.

“But it is possible to tweak the existing vaccines to enhance their effectiveness against this new variant.”

He adds that the best defence at this point is to get vaccinated and continue to practice social distancing and good hygiene.

Forty-eight new Covid cases

Yesterday’s 1,088 Covid tests resulted in 48 positive results, reports corona.fo.

All have been notified by the health authorities and contact tracing is underway.

The daily numbers of positive tests over the past week have been as follows: 40, 53, 39, 32, 63, 34 and 48.

There are currently 430 active Covid cases in the country. Three Covid patients are in hospital, and a total of 13 Covid-related fatalities have been registered since the onset of the pandemic.

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According to the latest vaccination figures on corona.fo, updated today, 92.0 percent of the 12+ population have received the first shot of the vaccine, 88.0 percent have received the second shot and 11.7 percent have received a third booster shot.

Plenty of vaccine doses are available to everyone aged 12 and over. Click here to book your vaccination appointment.

Those requiring assistance with filling in the forms can call 304545 on weekdays between 2pm and 4pm.

For further information about Covid-19 in the Faroes, visit corona.fo.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.