THE Omicron variant multiplies 70 times faster in the human body that the original coronavirus or the Delta variant, according to a new study.
The research from the University of Hong Kong suggests that this lightning-fast spread within the lungs' bronchial tubes may explain why Omicron may transmit faster among humans than previous variants.
Their study also showed the Omicron infection in the lung is significantly lower than the original SARS-CoV-2, which may be an indicator of lower disease severity. The research is currently under peer review for publication.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon calls for urgent meeting with Boris Johnson over Omicron
"By infecting many more people, a very infectious virus may cause more severe disease and death even though the virus itself may be less pathogenic," said Dr Michael Chan Chi-wai, the study's principal investigator.
"Therefore, taken together with our recent studies showing that the Omicron variant can partially escape immunity from vaccines and past infection, the overall threat from Omicron variant is likely to be very significant."
The UK Government's chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, warned in a televised address on Wednesday that Delta and Omicron represent two epidemics hitting at once.
He further cautioned against an "overinterpretation" of reports that the disease caused by Omicron may be less severe, saying its doubling rate and highly infectious nature are still cause for concern.
Thomas Denny, chief operating officer of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute in the US, called Omicron "the perfect storm" that will prompt challenges for administrators.
"It’s horrible", Denny said.
"We have a rapidly transmitting virus that is coinciding with a time when a lot of us are spending a lot of indoor time, because it’s cold. We’re coming together in groups for the holiday season ... This new variant has thrown us a curveball at the worst possible time.”
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