Fauci: Evidence suggests Omicron has increased infectivity and not a "severe profile," more data is needed

Fauci: Evidence suggests Omicron has increased infectivity and not a "severe profile," more data is needed There are still some key unanswered questions about the Omicron coronavirus variant, but emerging evidence appears to hold clues to the virus' transmissibility and severity, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said during a virtual White House briefing Tuesday. By <a href="/profiles/ivana-kottasova">Ivana Kottasová</a> and Ed Upright, CNN CNN

"If one looks at the transmissibility, we have molecular evidence to suggest that the mutations that are seen in Omicron and in other variants would suggest that they are associated with increased infectivity. Real-world evidence is accumulating rapidly – literally on a daily basis – to allow us to determine increase in cases, possible increase in reproductive number and the rapid replacement of Delta by Omicron in certain situations," Fauci said, referring to data from South Africa.

The world can expect to learn more about the Omicron variant in the next couple of weeks, Fauci told CNN's Betsy Klein during the briefing. ...