Nagpur: Experts have warned that the next Covid-19 variant will be much more transmissible and comparatively deadlier than its predecessors.
World Health Organisation (WHO) epidemiologist and technical lead on Covid-19 Dr Maria Van Kerkhove said that the pandemic if far from over and future variants will be in some ways more virulent than the Omicron variant.
Kerkhove said, “The next variant of concern will be more fit, and what we mean by that is it will be more transmissible because it will have to overtake what is currently circulating. The big question is whether or not future variants will be more or less severe.”
She further added that the next variant could possibly more easily evade immunity, making vaccines less effective. However, she also stressed upon the imperativeness of getting a jab as it protects against severe illnesses and deaths. She also said that they expect that with the right intervention circulation of Covid-19 will be low.
The WHO epidemiologist also warned that the world may see seasonal patterns for infection surges as the novel coronavirus is a respiratory pathogen.
