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LONDON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The Omicron variant of the novel
coronavirus is showing a higher rate of reinfection that other
variants and its growth rate is shortening in the United
Kingdom, the Health Security Agency's chief medical adviser said
on Tuesday.
"This is growing very fast with a growth rate of initially
two to three days, and that growth rate seems to be shortening
rather than lengthening," Dr Susan Hopkins said.
"We are concerned with the large volume of individuals who
are being infected every day in the population that we are going
to have a very difficult four weeks ahead with cases in the
community," she said.
"We are seeing a higher rate of reinfection than we've seen
before," Hopkins said.
Hopkins said infection from one variant of coronavirus
should protect against severe disease from another variant, but
it may not protect against mild disease or from transmission of
the virus.
Asked if an infection from the Omicron variant could bolster
immunity against the Delta variant, she replied: "There will be
protection, I think, from severe disease if you've had one
variant or the other, but these new variants may not protect you
from mild disease. And may not protect you from transmitting to
others."
(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Kate Holton, Editing by
Paul Sandle)
