'Encouraging' early feedback on Omicron case severity: Fauci | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 02, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 02, 2025
'Encouraging' early feedback on Omicron case severity: Fauci

Coronavirus chronicle

BSS/AFP
06 December, 2021, 09:20 am
Last modified: 06 December, 2021, 09:22 am

Related News

  • Trump's White House launches COVID website that criticizes WHO, Fauci and Biden
  • Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 may be dominant in Europe soon: Health agency
  • 'Covid cases still low but no alternative to caution'
  • Why Anthony Fauci is still optimistic about science
  • China's Xi told EU less lethal Omicron opens way for fewer Covid restrictions

'Encouraging' early feedback on Omicron case severity: Fauci

Medical experts have in recent days underscored that the South African population skews young and that more severe cases could emerge in the coming weeks

BSS/AFP
06 December, 2021, 09:20 am
Last modified: 06 December, 2021, 09:22 am
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, wears a Washington Nationals protective mask while arriving to a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing in Washington, DC, US, July 31, 2020. Erin Scott/Pool via REUTERS
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, wears a Washington Nationals protective mask while arriving to a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing in Washington, DC, US, July 31, 2020. Erin Scott/Pool via REUTERS

Early indications of the severity of the Omicron Covid-19 variant are "a bit encouraging," top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci said Sunday, while cautioning more information was still needed.

"Omicron has a transmission advantage" in South Africa, where the variant was first reported, Fauci said in a CNN interview, noting the country had a low level of cases before it saw "almost a vertical spike upwards, which is almost exclusively Omicron."

"Though it's too early to really make any definitive statements about it, thus far, it does not look like there's a great degree of severity to it," he said.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

 "Thus far, the signals are a bit encouraging."

Medical experts have in recent days underscored that the South African population skews young and that more severe cases could emerge in the coming weeks.

Lab tests are underway to determine whether Omicron -- a heavily mutated strain of the virus -- is more transmissible than other strains, resistant to immunity from vaccination and infection or more severe, with results expected within weeks.

"I think that there's a real risk that we're going to see a decrease in effectiveness of the vaccines," Stephen Hoge, president of vaccine producer Moderna, told ABC.

"What I don't know is how substantial that is," he added. "Is it going to be the kind of thing that we saw with the Delta variant, which is, ultimately vaccines were still effective, or are we going to see something like a 50 percent decrease in efficacy, which would mean we need to reboot the vaccines."

Moderna, like other pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, has already started work to adapt their vaccines if necessary.

Cases of the Omicron variant have so far been confirmed in at least 15 states and some 40 countries.

The United States last week imposed a travel ban on South Africa and seven other southern African countries to stem the variant spread.

Fauci said on Sunday he hoped the restrictions would be lifted "within a quite reasonable period of time."

Top News / World+Biz / USA

omicron / Dr Anthony Fauci

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • The economy in FY25: Battling challenging times
    The economy in FY25: Battling challenging times
  • Protesters block road in front of the Chattogram range deputy inspector general’s (DIG) office on 2 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Patiya clash: Protesters block road in front of DIG office, demand removal of OC
  • Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. File photo: Collected
    Contempt of court: ICT hands 6-month jail term in first verdict against Hasina

MOST VIEWED

  • Showkat Ali Chowdhury, the chairman of Eastern Bank Limited (EBL). File photo
    Bank accounts of Eastern Bank chairman, his family frozen
  • Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Photo: Zia Chowdhury
    Airport officials instructed to pay close attention during baggage screening for all VIP and VVIP passengers
  • Govt lowers interest rates on savings instruments
    Govt lowers interest rates on savings instruments
  • The Standard Chartered bank logo is seen at their headquarters in London, Britain, July 26, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo
    Standard Chartered Bank faces $2.7 billion lawsuit over alleged role in 1MDB fraud
  • File photo of Bangladesh Public Service Commission logo. Photo: Collected
    Repeat recommendations in 44th BCS spark vacancy fears
  • File photo of Chattogram Port/TBS
    Ctg port handles record 32.96 lakh containers in FY25, revenue hits Tk75,432 crore

Related News

  • Trump's White House launches COVID website that criticizes WHO, Fauci and Biden
  • Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 may be dominant in Europe soon: Health agency
  • 'Covid cases still low but no alternative to caution'
  • Why Anthony Fauci is still optimistic about science
  • China's Xi told EU less lethal Omicron opens way for fewer Covid restrictions

Features

Illustration: TBS

Ulan Daspara: Remnants of a fishing village in Dhaka

1d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Innovative storage accessories you’ll love

3d | Brands
Two competitors in this segment — one a flashy newcomer, the other a hybrid veteran — are going head-to-head: the GAC GS3 Emzoom and the Toyota CH-R. PHOTOS: Nafirul Haq (GAC Emzoom) and Akif Hamid (Toyota CH-R)

GAC Emzoom vs Toyota CH-R: The battle of tech vs trust

3d | Wheels
Women farmers, deeply reliant on access to natural resources for both farming and domestic survival, are among the most affected, caught between ecological collapse and inadequate structural support. Photo: Shaharin Amin Shupty

Hope in the hills: How women farmers in Bandarban are weathering the climate crisis

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Financial advisor calls for increased use of technology in SME sector

Financial advisor calls for increased use of technology in SME sector

48m | TBS Today
One week left until the deal signing

One week left until the deal signing

33m | Others
Govt plans to reinforce liver transplant capabilities in the country

Govt plans to reinforce liver transplant capabilities in the country

1h | TBS Insight
ICT-1 sentences Sheikh Hasina to 6-month jail in contempt of court case

ICT-1 sentences Sheikh Hasina to 6-month jail in contempt of court case

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net